Bell-Jeff football can’t make up early deficit
SYLMAR — For the second straight week the Bellarmine-Jefferson High football team fell behind early.
And for the second consecutive game the Guards couldn’t make up the deficit.
Canaan Williams led visiting Bell-Jeff on the ground, but it wasn’t enough, as it dropped a eight-man nonleague contest to Discovery Prep, 36-6, Friday afternoon at El Cariso Park in Sylmar.
The Guards (0-2) fell behind at halftime, 24-6. In their season opener Sept. 9, Bell-Jeff wasn’t able to come back in absorbing a 58-20 nonleague loss to La Verne Calvary Baptist.
Bell Jeff scored its lone touchdown on a 50-yard run by quarterback Ronald Jurok early in the second quarter. Jurok finished with 47 yards in nine carries. Williams carried 24 times for 66 yards.
“We’re in the process of changing our offense and we’re changing people,” Williams said. “We need to be more aggressive and attack spots better. I’m coming off an injury so I need to work on hitting my spots.
Bell Jeff had trouble with the exchange from center all game, whether Jurok was under center or in the shotgun. The Guards had 15 plays for losses which consistently gave Discovery Prep (1-0) a short field.
“We are very young and we’re trying to adjust to the physicality and pace of the game. Last week we had trouble holding onto to the ball.” Bell-Jeff coach Fred Martinez said.
“We worked hard in practice this week on ball security and it continues to be a big emphasis for us.”
Brialio Diaz intercepted a Jurok pass and returned it seven yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. It was the only pass Jurok attempted in the game.
Quarterback Ivan Gonzalez completed one of two passes for 26 yards and one touchdown for Discovery Prep.
Discovery Prep was led by Martin Velasquez, who carried 14 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
The game was the season opener for the Warriors, who had their game with Westmark canceled last week.
“The season is young but our kids have already faced adversity since the coach left two weeks ago and I had to take over,” said coach Tony Sanchez, who is also the Discovery Prep athletic director.
“Our kids are doing a great job of staying organized with all of the distractions.”
The Bell Jeff defense held Discovery Prep to 192 yards of total offense and didn’t allow an offensive touchdown in the second half.
“We are still trying to adjust to the speed of the game. Football is all about speed and we’re two to three steps slow,” Martinez said.
“Once we’re able to get to the right positions on the field we will be able to put it all together.”
The Guards will return to action next Friday with a nonleague game at Flintridge Prep.
Twitter: @jefftsports