How about that, La Puente cruises in Roher Debut

By John Honell, Correspondent
It could be the start of something big for first-year La Puente High School coach Brandon Rohrer. His Warriors beat Gabrielino 28-7 in the season opener for both teams on Thursday. The victory matched the season win total of 2008. The Warriors had too much experience for an outmanned Gabrielino squad. The Warriors defense dominated the first half and held the Eagles (0-1) to 69 yards on the ground.


The Warriors, led by middle linebacker Jesus Vargas, constantly were in the Eagles’ backfield.

“He’s (Vargas) a beast,” Rohrer said. “He’s relentless. The defense follows him.

“Everything goes through him and we expect big things this year.”

The visiting Warriors (1-0) took advantage of two long scoring runs by senior James Fernandez and a 23-yard scoring pass from senior Garrett Hrey to Vargas to take a 21-0 lead at the half and never were threatened.

Fernandez took an inside handoff and turned the corner for an 80-yard score with 2:28 left in the first quarter.

“We know he has a lot of speed,” Rohrer said. “We’re just trying to get him the ball as much as possible.”

Fernandez scored again on a broken play early in the second quarter. He finished with 132 yards on 4 carries to lead both teams.

He attempted to go around end but the Eagles defense forced him to reverse his field. He turned the corner again and ran 53 yards for his second score.

“That really hurt us,” first-year Eagles coach Harold Sanin said. “That play when we had him in the grasp, that broke us.”

The Warriors got a big performance from Hrey, who completed 10 of 16 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

His biggest completion was to Vargas with 6:22 left in the first half. With fourth down and three yards to go, Hrey hit Vargas at the 15-yard line and Vargas bulled his way into the end zone to put the game out of reach.

“He’s (Hrey) is such a smart quarterback,” Rohrer said. “He had a great summer and we’re going to rely on him big time this year.”

Hrey’s performance helped make Rohrer’s first game as a head coach a lot easier.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous,” Rohrer said. “A three-year starter at quarterback makes me a lot more relaxed.”

Gabrielino missed a chance to score just before the half.

With the Warriors pinned deep in their own territory, they were forced to punt with 2:35 to go in the half.

A running into the kicker penalty gave the Warriors a first down and they ran out the clock.

“That’s the gamble you take,” Sanin said. “We went for the block and you either get it or you run into the kicker. We ran into the kicker.”

The Eagles controlled the ball for 7:16 of the fourth quarter by taking the ball 88 yards on 13 plays for their only touchdown.

Eagles quarterback Josh Acosta ran 10 yards on a keeper around end for the score.

The Eagles also got a big defensive performance from nose tackle Erik Rosales, who had two unassisted tackles for losses. He helped hold the Warriors to 29 yards rushing in the second half.

“He’s solid,” Sanin said. “He’s the anchor of our defense. We did a lot of positive things and we’ll be back against San Marino next week.”

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