MidValleySports.Com

By Rich Whittington

(San Gabriel) – The Arroyo Knights reminded us that they are still a force in the Mission Valley League, defeating their heavily-favored host Gabrielino Eagles Friday evening, 35-10, in front of a stunned crowd at Gabrielino High school.

No one, except for those at Arroyo, and Mid Valley Sports own Tim Peterson, gave the Knights much of a chance of winning the game. Arroyo came in with a record of 3-4, 1-2 in Mission Valley League play, and were facing an opponent that was 6-1, 3-0 in league, and seemingly hitting on all cylinders. The Knights surely proved their doubters wrong.

Arroyo scored on its first possession of the evening. After Gabrielino’s initial possession, which ended with a bad snap on an Eagles’ punt attempt, the Knights found themselves with the ball, 1st and 10, on the Gabrielino 18-yard line. Arroyo was able to put six on the board, as running back Andrew Huizar scored on a 1-yard blast. The PAT was added by kicker Paxton Parps, making the score 7-0 with 5:06 remaining in the opening period.

The score stood until the final seconds of the opening half. Gabrielino put together an 87-yard, 15 play drive which ended with a successful 27-yard Field Goal by Eagles’ kicker Ozzy Ayala. This made the score 7-3 as the first half came to a close.

Arroyo extended the lead on its first possession of the second half. The Knights established a 14 play, 67-yard drive, which consumed 6:15 and ended with a 2-yard touchdown by running back Zion Soberanez-Pena. A second Parps extra point made the score 14-3, with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter.

The Eagles answered, putting together a drive of their own, which ended with a 24-yard scoring pass from Quarterback Ely Lobban to tight end Robert Esparza. Ayala successfully converted the PAT, making the score 14-10, with 2:44 remaining on the third quarter clock.

Arroyo answered on the first play of their next possession. The Knights successfully completed a “double pass”, which went from quarterback Angel Casillas to wide receiver Adrian Villa to wide receiver Benny Nguyen for an 80-yard score and it was 21-10, as the third quarter ended.

The final period belonged to the Knights. Arroyo added a pair of touchdowns, courtesy of Jose Penaloza. The first was a 3-yard blast, while the second was a 13-yard touchdown run to account for the final score.

Up next for the Knights is a home meeting with the Rosemead Panthers. The Eagles will also be at home, where they will face the Marshall Eagles. Both games are scheduled for Friday night with a kickoff at 7:00 PM.