DIVISION VI ROUNDUP

La Mirada 21, Aliso Niguel 13--La Mirada overcame three lost fumbles and two missed field goals to hold on for a victory at La Mirada High.

Chris Rudiger carried 23 times for 168 yards and three touchdowns for the second-seeded Matadores (9-2). His performance overshadowed that of Aliso Niguel’s Iman Nikzad, who was held to 74 yards in 21 carries.

Despite moving the ball well in the first half, La Mirada could not capitalize on its opportunities. After a turnover on downs and a fumble on their first two possessions, the Matadores missed two field goals. Sam Orr failed on a 27-yard try, then had his 55-yard attempt blocked by Brian Tracy just before halftime.

Jerrell Shavers’ interception set up Rudiger’s two-yard touchdown run to begin the scoring. Rudiger then started the fourth quarter with a 22-yard scoring run, but Aliso Niguel’s first play on the next possession was an 80-yard strike from Joel Smith to Tim Hefty.

La Mirada quarterback Chris Cox, who completed 13 of 21 for 176 yards, then hit Anthony Ortega and Robert Price for first downs on his team’s last touchdown drive of the game. Rudiger then ran 24 yards to give the Matadores a two-touchdown advantage.

Smith responded by completing four consecutive passes, but the Wolverines (5-6) turned the ball over on downs. Smith got his team back in the game with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Nick Assad with 1:03 left in the game. However, the two-point conversion failed and the Matadores held on to the onside kick to seal the decision.