CATASTROPHE: Tribune All-Area DB Pablo Ocegueda of South El Monte reportedly loses four fingers in tug-of-war mishap …

South El Monte defensive back Pablo Ocegueda, a Tribune first-team All-Area selection at defensive back last season, reportedly lost four fingers in a tug-of-war fiasco at school on Monday.

Ocegueda was undergoing surgery on Monday night to reattach the severed fingers. Several Eagles teammates and coach Ibis Aguilar have been at the hospital with Ocegueda to offer support.

Ocegueda was a key cog in helping South El Monte share the Mission Valley League title with El Monte. The senior had 74 tackles, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Aram’s take: From what I hear, and this is all second hand because I obviously wasn’t at South El Monte High when it happened, is that the rope being was used was not a thick one that you can only grab and not wrap. So, Ocegueda wrapped the rope around his hand and when it came time to pull, the rope tightened and caused the injury. Hopefully, his fingers can be reattached and work again.