Rancho Alamitos Scores Late Touchdown, Stays Unbeaten

It seems strange to have a nonleague game this late in the season, but when you play in seven-team leagues as Rancho Alamitos and Covina do, there is no such thing as an orderly progression.

Of course when the games are as entertaining as the one Rancho Alamitos and Covina played Thursday, so much the better.

Like a heavyweight in the ring, the Vaqueros landed the final punch--a 60-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Yandell to Alex Blanco with 1 minute 45 seconds to play--and pull out a 33-29 victory over the Colts in front of an estimated 1,500 at Covina District Stadium.

The victory kept Rancho Alamitos’ record spotless at 9-0, while Covina slipped to 7-2.

“This reminded me of the game two years ago [which ended in a tie],” Vaquero Coach David Case said. “Back and forth, back and forth, which team had the ball last.

“This was one of our toughest tests this season, and it showed the kids not to put their heads between their tails when it looks like they could lose the game. They just kept fighting.”

Running has been the Vaqueros’ trademark this season. Rancho came into Thursday’s game averaging nearly 7 1/2 yards every time they gave the ball to Leo Kosi or David Vickers.

Kosi had a typical effort: 183 yards and four touchdowns in 29 carries. But that effort was negated by four lost Rancho Alamitos fumbles that kept Covina in the game.

“To have that many turnovers and win is rare,” Case said.

Like Rancho Alamitos, Covina had some excellent talent on display. Wide receiver Robert Jarvis had four receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. Running back Ingmar Bergman rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns in 21 carries.

But thanks to Blanco--who is playing despite a torn ligament in the knee that keeps him from playing running back, his regular position--Rancho Alamitos was able to overcome its bouts of sloppiness that caused it to nearly blow a 25-12 second-half lead.

Rancho Alamitos was dominant but generous in the first half.

The Vaqueros’ running game initially was so successful, they did not punt during the first 24 minutes. Kosi had touchdown runs of nine, four and one yards while amassing 117 yards on the ground.

But the Vaqueros helped the Colts stay in the game with a key fumble. Vickers mishandled a punt in the first quarter, and David Bautista recovered at the Rancho Alamitos 29. On fourth down, Nick Covarrubias hooked up with Johnny Waltz for a 24-yard touchdown pass.

Covina also had a successful drive, moving the ball 65 yards in 12 plays, with Bergman popping into the end zone from five yards.

Rancho Alamitos lost another fumble in the second quarter, but stopped Covina on a fourth-down run by Bergman.