Trojan Effort Carries Wilson to Title

Garbed in cardinal and gold colors, their band playing the University of Southern California’s fight song after all their touchdowns, Hacienda Heights Wilson looked like one of the dominant Trojan teams of the 1970s.

Behind the strong inside running of Percy Arceneaux and pinpoint passing of quarterback Chris Ulibarri, Hacienda Heights Wilson rolled past Bell Gardens, 34-21, on Friday night to win its second consecutive Southern Section Division VI championship at Cerritos College.

Playing before about 4,000, the Wildcats (13-1) used the pass to set up the run as they started the game sluggishly.

“I think our speed played an important part,” Wilson Coach Dave Merrill said.

“They took advantage of our first-half mistakes like good teams do, but eventually our ability to throw and run were the difference.”

Arceneaux resembled former USC running back Charles White, darting and dashing for 129 yards in 10 carries and scoring two touchdowns, including one on a 65-yard run on the Wildcats’ opening drive.

Ulibarri did his best impression of former Trojan quarterback Paul McDonald, completing 12 of 19 passes for 151 yards and hitting receiver Steve Levario on scoring passes of 38 and 24 yards.

The victory gave the Wildcats their 29th consecutive on-field victory.

Their one loss came when they were forced to forfeit their season opener against Rowland for using an ineligible player.

Asked about his team’s similarities to USC’s football team, Merrill said, “We’re just a high school team from Hacienda Heights.

“We have the same fight song and uniforms, but that’s where the resemblance stops.”

Ernie Rivera rushed for 116 yards in 23 carries and scored two touchdowns for second-seeded Bell Gardens (12-2).