El Monte Arroyo Holds Off University’s Comeback

El Monte Arroyo held off University’s second-half comeback to gain a 33-21 victory Friday night at Irvine High School.

Arroyo held a 14-0 first-half lead, but in the second half, the two teams combined for 40 points.

Arroyo (1-1) was led by quarterback Kenny Smith, who completed 14 of 31 passes for 203 yards. Senior Felipe Rivas rushed for 116 yards in 23 carries and scored two touchdowns in the third quarter.

Smith had three passes intercepted. University intercepted another pass when punter Kevin Sjodt faked a punt and passed the ball in the first half.

University (0-2) was led by quarterback Damian Defeo, who completed 11 of 23 passes for 126 yards. Jarrett had six receptions for 60 yards.

University trailed, 20-0, early in the third quarter.

After Arroyo’s third touchdown cut the lead to 20-6, the Trojans’ Gerson Contento raced 91 yards on the kickoff for a touchdown.

Then University’s Kelvin Murray scored from two yards out and Defeo connected with Justin Isaac on a two-point conversion pass to cut the lead to 20-14 with 10 minutes 3 seconds left in the third quarter.

Rivas scored on a one-yard run with 6:24 left in the third quarter to give Arroyo a 26-14 lead.

University got back into the game when Defeo, playing defensive back, intercepted a pass by Smith and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 26-21 with 10:25 remaining.

However, Arroyo clinched the victory when Smith connected with Sergio Perez on a 21-yard touchdown pass with 7:17 left in the game.