FOOTBALL : Belmont Tops L.A. for a Change, 30-6

Having dropped nine of 12 meetings against Los Angeles High dating back to 1929, Belmont looked to change its luck Friday night.

The Sentinels used a strong ground game, spearheaded by running back Ramon Archie, to wear down the undermanned Romans en route to a 30-6 nonconference victory.

Archie dominated the game in the first half, rushing for 139 yards and scoring from 15 and 10 yards out.

“I feel (Belmont) has one of the best lines in the city,” Archie said. “I just followed their blocks and broke some tackles.”

Archie finished with 161 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

Archie had a 65-yard run late in the second quarter that set up a five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dale Saulque to wide receiver Ovaldo Ortiz to give Belmont a 23-0 halftime lead.

Los Angeles was held to 88 total yards in the game. Coach John Watson said lack of execution was his team’s downfall.

“Our biggest problem was that we have so many new players and most of them don’t know their assignments (on offense and defense),” Watson said.

The Romans’ best player, Shena Onalapo, who rushed for 243 yards in a win over Hollywood, injured his shoulder in the first quarter and sat out the rest of the game.

Saulque, who completed seven of 10 passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns, hit tight end John Lopez for a four-yard touchdown with 6:53 left in the third quarter.

Los Angeles’ only score came on a 73-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Reagan to wide receiver Nile Willingham.

Records: Belmont 2-0; Los Angeles 1-1.

Next week: Belmont at Grant; Los Angeles at Franklin.