HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : Montclair Shut Down by Norwalk

Norwalk Coach Phil Vela says his team lives and dies by its defense. Going into Thursday night’s game against Montclair Prep the Lancers had given up only 12 points and seven first downs against three opponents.

Norwalk proved Vela right as it held Montclair Prep to 152 total yards--78 in the second half--to win the nonleague game, 17-7, at Excelsior Field in Norwalk.

Norwalk (4-0), which overcame a 7-3 first-half deficit, took the lead when Richard Arriola caught an 8-yard pass from Noe Najera with 6:47 left in the third quarter. The conversion made the score 10-7. Dae Ho Sung had a 54-yard touchdown run for the game’s final score.

On four of its final five possessions, Montclair Prep (2-2) had two passes intercepted, botched a punt attempt and lost the ball on downs.

The Mounties had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter when they drove to the Lancers’ 45-yard line, but on fourth-and-6, quarterback Keyaan Cook’s pass to Jamal Swinton fell incomplete.

Cook finished the game 3 of 10 for 22 yards, with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Tyler Robuck rushed 14 times for 69 yards for the Mounties.

Montclair Prep scored when Cook connected with Swinton on a two-yard pass with 5:31 left in the first half. The play finished a 92-yard, 15-play drive.

Vince Pluma kicked a 32-yard field goal for Norwalk with nine seconds left in the half.