La Mirada is its own worst enemy in opener

Well, that didn’t take long.
La Mirada, the top-ranked team in the Daily News’ preseason football poll, was thoroughly thumped by Tesoro on Friday night, 43-14. The Matadores turned the ball over three times and were flagged for 22 penalties in the loss.
Tesoro took advantage of excellent field position all night and kept La Mirada’s defense on the field far too long. Tesoro began five drives inside La Mirada territory.
“If you turn the ball over and have 22 penalties, you have no chance to win,” said La Mirada coach Mike Moschetti. “We have to do a better job as coaches to get the kids ready.”
The Matadores, ranked No. 2 in the first CIF-SS Southeast Division poll, will host La Habra on Friday. The Highlanders opened the seeason ranked No. 3 in the preseason Daily News poll and No. 2 in the CIF-SS Southwest Division.

Lancers answer early test on the road
Kevin Ramos had a 92-yard touchdown run for La Serna in Friday’s 27-10 victory over Vista of the San Diego Section.
The visiting Lancers made plenty of mistakes, as head coach Margarito Beltran said he expected in the season opener, but also made big plays when needed. Tony Ceron and Jalen Thompson each recorded an interception, and senior quarterback Frankie Palmer contributed with both his arm and his feet.
“It was definitely a first game,” Beltran said, “not necessarily the prettiest … but overall we were pleased with how our guys maintained their poise.”
The Condors, ranked No. 2 in the Daily News’ preseason Top 10, will host Los Osos on Friday at Cal High.

Cardinals stay the course in victory
Things could have gone terribly wrong for Whittier High on Friday night.
Just minutes into their season-opening game against Sonora, the Cardinals trailed by 13 points. And after fighting back to take a halftime lead, Whittier saw Sonora score on its first drive of the second half for another advantage. At different points in the game, Sonora blocked a field goal, a punt and recovered a fumble.
The Cardinals, however, were patient with their running attack and eventually pulled out a 28-21 victory at La Habra High. Eddie Orta scored three touchdowns on the ground, and Jacob Cervantes scored the game-winner when he recovered a fourth-quarter fumble in the end zone.
“We just kept attacking,” said second-year Whittier coach Visko Ancich. “The kids did a good job and answered. We got really physical and kept attacking.”
Against Sonora’s option offense, defensive linemen Enrique Rabelo and Andres Garcia each played well.
The Cardinals will play Azusa next week at Citrus College.

How the Top 10 Fared

1. La Mirada: Lost to Tesoro 43-14
Next week: Friday vs. La Habra

2. La Serna: Defeated Vista 27-10
Next week: Friday vs. Los Osos at Cal High

3. La Habra: Defeated El Toro 26-3
Next week: Friday at La Mirada

4. Santa Fe: Defeated Ontario Christian 34-21
Next week: Friday vs. Esperanza at El Rancho High

5. Whittier Christian: Defeated Bishop 41-20
Next week: Friday at Cantwell-Sacred Heart

6. Cal: Bye
Next week: Thursday vs. Montebello

7. St. Paul: Lost to Buena Park 40-20
Next week: Thursday vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium

8. El Rancho: Defeated Marina 49-19
Next week: Friday at Diamond Ranch

9. Schurr: Bye
Next week: Friday vs. Buena Park

10. Montebello: Lost to Diamond Bar 44-10
Next week: Thursday at Cal

Other Week 0 games
Thursday

Sunny Hills 28, Pioneer 20
Friday
Whittier 28, Sonora 21

Bye
Cantwell-Sacred Heart

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