Great weekend of area high school football, with last second touchdowns, come-from-behind rallies, surprise performances, overcoming adversity, rivals clashing and clutch efforts.

A quick look:
La Serna 33, Whittier 29: Never-say-die Lancers save the best for last, scoring all 33 points in the fourth quarter, including winning it on a last-play-of-the-game pass.

La Mirada 42, Norwalk 33: One might say the Matadores spotted the Southern Division No. 1-ranked Lancers a 19-point lead (26-7) late in the first half, then the defense woke up and helped the team to the top of the Suburban League.

Santa Fe 21, El Rancho 3: The Chiefs lose their QB (Alex Flores) for the season two two weeks ago, so everyone figures the offense will be run-run-run, but backup QB Justin Rincon steps in to throw for 231 yards and three touchdowns.

La Habra 47, Troy 14: Standout RB Joshua Quezada stays home with the flu and coach Frank Mazzotta merely opens the cupboard and pulls out another quality back, this one Ahmad Avery, who responds with 177 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

Schurr 34, Montebello 12: They say you can “throw out the records” when two of the area’s biggest rivals meet, but the favorite in this one won, and in such a manner as to send a message to this week’s opponent, San Gabriel, that the Spartans are ready to defend their Almont League title.

California 37, Pioneer 0: RB Terris Jones, PK Tyler Hadden and the Condors’ offense get their usual share of kudos for another impressive performance, but the defense steps into the spotlight for this one for never allowing the pass-happy and dangerous Titans to get their attack going. Four interceptions and an unofficial 14 hurries.

Cantwell 43, Don Bosco Tech 21: Everyone had a hand in this one, the offense producing five touchdown passes and the defense forcing five turnovers, as the Cardinals stay alive in the Camino Real League.

Whittier Christian 49, Firebaugh 0: After a pair of sub-par (for him) games, Garrett Fulbright returned to form and scored five touchdowns to lead Heralds in a game that was played with a running clock for the second half.

St. Francis 34, St. Paul 7: On a night when the defense had problems, the Swordsmen’s offense failed to pick up the slack, and they find themselves needing to win their last two games to have a shot at the postseason playoffs.

Week 7 results: RMurray 7-3; ACampa 4-6
Records to date: RMurray 54-22-1; ACampa 49-27-1

Friday’s (10-30) games:
Santa Fe at El Rancho: RMurray (Santa Fe); ACampa (El Rancho)
La Mirada vs. Norwalk: RMurray (La Mirada); ACampa (La Mirada)
Whittier vs. La Serna: RMurray (La Serna); ACampa (Whittier)
California at Pioneer: RMurray (California); ACampa (California)
Schurr at Montebello: RMurray (Schurr); ACampa (Schurr)
Troy at La Habra: RMurray (La Habra); ACampa (La Habra)
Firebaugh at WhChristian: RMurray (WChristian); ACampa (WhChristian)
St. Paul at St. Francis: RMurray (St. Francis); ACampa (St. Francis)

Saturday’s (10-31) Game:
Cantwell at Don Bosco Tech: RMurray (Cantwell); ACampoa (Cantwell)

An impressive weekend for a quartet of local high school football
programs:

Pioneer’s 28-23 win over La Serna Thursday night set the tone. The
Lancers may have contributed a bit to their downfall, but clearly, the
Titans won it. Outstanding defensive effort and another sterling performance
by QB Steven Del Villar.

California’s 35-17 win over El Rancho Friday night was a exhibition of
one good, well-coached team beating another good, well-coached team.
Perserverence proved to be the difference.

La Mirada’s 42-12 rout of Mayfair is elevated by the quality of the
Monsoons’ heavy-handed preseason schedule. The Matadores didn’t just win it, they did it with a purpose.

Santa Fe’s 16-7 victory over stubborn Whittier is not flashy enough
to satisfy some of the Chiefs’ critics, but the impact of quarterback Alex Flores’
absence was obvious. Hats off to the winners for finding a way to do it.

Last Friday night, La Serna sent a message to the Del Rio League with a
stunning 28-23 victory over Santa Fe.

Thursday night, Pioneer sent another message to the league, and this
time La Serna was the victim as the upstart Titans upset the the Lancers, 34-17.

Pioneer quarterback Steven Del Villar sparkled with 285 yards and a
touchdown on 24 for 37 passing. The Titans (3-4, 1-1) ran just enough (16-92-1TD) to keep the
Lancers honest, and the defense rose to the occasion, returning two
fumbles for touchdowns, and, after leading, 27-17 at halftime, holding
the Lancers to 31 yards on 12 carries in the second half.

La Serna (2-5, 1-1) finished with 129 yards rushing, Oscar Medina (7-36) and Richard Alvarez (11-56) sharing the load. The Lancers’ scoring came from Craig Jones 4-yard run on La Serna’s first possession, Teren Guerra’s 37-yard field goal and quarterback Andrew Buenrostro’s 1-yard sneak that gained a 17-17 tie late in the second quarter. Guerra also had two extra points kicks.

Pioneer’s scoring: Tony Bolanos’ 71-yard pass play from Del Villar (7-7), Gabriel Salazar’s 28-yard field goal (10-7), Joseph Lara’s 21-yard fumble return (17-7), Eddie Aguirre’s 6-yard run (24-17), Salazar’s 19-yard field goal 927-17) and Ruben Robles’ 51-yard fumble return. In additiion to his field goals, Salazar kicked all four extra points.

La Serna quarterback Andrew Buenrostro finished the game 0 for 8
passing, with two interceptions.

Week 6 results: RMurray 6-3; ACampa 8-1
Season to date: RMurray 47-19-1; ACampa 45-21-1

Thursday’s game:
Pioneer vs. La Serna: RMurray (La Serna); ACampa (La Serna)

Friday’s games:
El Rancho vs. California: RMurray (California); ACampa (California)
Whittier vs. Santa Fe: RMurray (Santa Fe); ACampa (Whittier)
Mary Star vs. Cantwell: RMurray (Cantwell); ACampa (Cantwell)
Sonora vs. La Habra: RMurray (La Habra); ACampa (La Habra)
La Mirada vs. Mayfair: RMurray (La Mirada); ACampa (Mayfair)
Alhambra vs. Montebello: RMurray (Alhambra); ACampa (Montebello)
Schurr vs. Mark Keppel: RMurray (Schurr); ACampa (Schurr)
St. Paul vs. Crespi: RMurray (Crespi); ACampa (Crespi)
Cerritos Valley Christian vs. Whittier Christian: RMurray (WhChristian); ACampa (WhChristian)

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