Bell Gardens Romps Over Montebello, 21-0
Bell Gardens overcame a strong 426-yard attack by Montebello and defeated the Oilers, 21-0, Friday night in a showdown that will likely decide the Almont League title.
“We don’t have the greatest ability,” Bell Gardens head coach Dave Newell said after the Lancers handed Montebello its first loss of the season. “But we do have a lot of character, and that wins championships.”
Big plays also win championships, and Bell Gardens had plenty Friday night.
The only score of the first half came when Montebello quarterback Robert Orozco overthrew his receiver and had his pass intercepted by Lancers’ defensive back Ricky Oropeza, who raced 28 yards for the touchdown with 5:38 left before halftime.
Bell Gardens set the tone for the second half early when running back Francisco Samano fought off two tacklers on the second play, broke to the sideline and ran 69 yards for a touchdown.
“I just spun off the tacklers, saw the hole and took off,” said Samano, who rushed for 132 yards on 10 carries.
Montebello more than doubled Bell Gardens’ offensive output, 426 yards to 206, but they committed three costly turnovers. Orozco threw for 140 yards but had two passes intercepted and was sacked four times, and a fumble by Oiler receiver George Zedan was recovered by Oropeza on the Montebello 11-yard line late in the fourth quarter.
“Bell Gardens was very opportunistic,” Montebello Coach Doug Rihn said. “We were able to move the ball up and down the field, but couldn’t put it in the end zone.”
Running back German Chavez scored the Lancers’ final touchdown on a four-yard run with 2:25 left.
Montebello mustered its best drive of the game with less than a minute to play, but Orozco was intercepted by defensive back Francisco Macias at the Lancer four-yard line with 13 seconds left.
BG--Oropeza 28 interception return (Velasco kick)
BG--Samano 69 run (Velasco kick)
BG--Chavez 4 run (Velasco kick)
Records: Bell Gardens 7-1; Montebello 7-1
Next week: Bell Gardens at San Gabriel; Montebello at Alhambra.