It’s time for Game Balls for Week 5 and there were quiet a few impressive efforts last Friday.
The first game ball goes to Santa Fe senior running back Alex Mirola, who proved vital in Santa Fe’s 24-21 upset win over visiting Downey.
Mirola scored the game-winning 2-yard touchdown with 27.3 seconds left. Overall, Mirola carried 26 times for 132 yards and one touchdown.
The next game ball goes to Montebello senior Angel Piedra, this week’s Whittier Daily News Player of the Week.
The middle linebacker tallied a season-high 15 tackles in Montebello’s 27-24 win at California. Piedra helped the Oilers to their first win of the season with a blocked field goal as well.
The next game ball goes to the La Mirada defense, which had a relatively easy time with Suburban League rival John Glenn last Friday in a 48-6 win.
The defense returned two fumbles for touchdowns and has held three of its last four opponents to seven or fewer points.
The next game ball goes to the St. Paul offensive line, which opened up gaping holes for running back Michael Ortega in an impressive 42-7 win over Schurr.
The line of Cristian Garcia, Paul Governale, Greg Gilmore, Rick Garcia and David Pilkington helped aid Ortega to 257 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
The next game ball goes to the El Rancho secondary, which was stout in a 33-14 nonleague win over Fontana on Friday.
The Dons picked off four passes, including two by Freddy Garcia and one each by Leonard Baldwin and Mark Lopez.
Another game ball goes to Cantwell Sacred Heart junior Corey Collins, who proved a valuable No. 2 receiving option for the Cardinals in a 35-28 win over undefeated Whittier Christian on Friday.
Collins had four receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, the cornerback also posted four tackles.
The final game ball goes to junior running back Tony Botello, who rushed for 221 yards on 34 carries in Pioneer’s 13-7 nonleague win over Rancho Alamitos.
Botello scored the game-winner with 23 seconds left as the Titans improved to 3-2.
