Duarte Topples Arroyo to Win Title : Prep football: Greg Ainsworth scores six touchdowns for perfect ending to the Falcons’ regular season.

Given the opportunity to do something special in a big game, Greg Ainsworth responded with an impressive performance Friday night at Duarte High.

Ainsworth, the Duarte quarterback, scored six touchdowns to lead the Falcons to a 48-13 victory over Arroyo and the Mission Valley League title.

His outstanding game put the finishing touch on an undefeated season.

Duarte, ranked third in the Southern Section Division VI, improved to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in league. Previously unbeaten and top-ranked Arroyo is 9-1, 3-1.

Ainsworth ran for three touchdowns, passed for two and returned a fumble 31 yards for another.

He scored on touchdown runs of 82, seven and 80 yards and threw scoring passes of 40 and 15 yards.

“We have a skilled, experienced offensive line--that’s the key behind the big plays,” Ainsworth said. “The linemen provide the big blocks that enabled us to get in the open field.”

Ainsworth carried 10 times for a game-high 234 yards and completed three of seven passes for 68 yards. Duarte fullback Johnnie Shelton carried seven times for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Arroyo quarterback Gabriel Agredano completed 13 of 31 for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Tailback Jorge Flores gained 53 yards in 10 carries.

Leading 22-7 at halftime, Duarte put the game away with two third-quarter scores.

Shelton ran 59 yards for one touchdown, and Ainsworth added another on a seven-yard run.

Arroyo scored a third-quarter touchdown on Agredano’s 15-yard pass to John Claypoole. Ainsworth finished the scoring with an 80-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons looked strong at the start by scoring on the game’s first possession. They drove 65 yards in eight plays to score. Ainsworth threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to flanker Nathaniel Jacquet.

Arroyo tied the score with a drive that was set up by linebacker Robert Savala’s fumble recovery at its 35.

On the series’ second play, Agredano threw a short pass over the middle to wide receiver Jacob Lopez, who sprinted past the defenders 67 yards for the score.

But Duarte and Ainsworth responded again. This time the quarterback took the first snap from scrimmage and ran around left end for an 82-yard touchdown.

The Falcons increased their lead on a series that began when Jacquet tackled Arroyo punter Mark Lanaro at his own five.