Above: Montebello High’s William Martinez, right, leaps for a header during Tuesday’s CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoff against Millikan. (Staff Photo by Leo Jarzomb)

El Rancho continues to play tight, thrilling games, but the Dons also continue to win, scoring a 2-1 victory over Diamond Ranch in a Division 4 second round game on Tuesday. The Dons, ranked No. 5 nationally by ESPN and seeking its second consecutive CIF-SS title, improved to 24-0 and advanced to Thursday’s quarterfinals. El Rancho will host South Torrance at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Francisco Lara scored both goals for the Dons, who had to withstood a final rally by the Panthers in the waning moments.
Back in the 562, Montebello’s road came to an end, losing to No. 2 Millikan, 2-0, in a Division 1 second-round game.

El Rancho 2, Diamond Ranch 1
Millikan 2, Montebello 0