Garfield’s Errors Lead to Big Roosevelt Victory

After dominating the East Los Angeles Classic for seven years, Garfield played a mistake-filled first half and lost to Roosevelt, 44-15, Friday at Weingart Stadium at East Los Angeles College.

Roosevelt (6-2) solidified its chance for a spot in the City Section’s major division playoffs before an announced crowd of 23,142 by capitalizing on special teams problems for Garfield (2-6).

A tipped punt with 6:05 remaining in the first quarter led to Ellis Machuca’s nine-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 Roosevelt lead.

Early in the second quarter, a bad snap on a punt led to Machuca’s second touchdown, this one an eight-yard run.

With 2:14 left in the half, Roosevelt’s Manuel Esparza scored on an 11-yard run two plays after an incomplete pass on a fake punt by Garfield punter and quarterback Erik Nava from his own 11.

The Roughriders gained 88 yards on the ground in the third quarter, while outscoring the Bulldogs, 10-0.