Sports
Suburban League Week 9 Review; Week 10 Preview
Week 9 Review
The league this week had a few scares with the Dons of Cerritos almost pulling out a victory against the John Glenn Eagles. Then on Friday, the Pioneers of Artesia jumped out to an early lead against the Norwalk Lancers, but in the end, the game was far from close. The Buccaneers of Bellflower where manhandled by the Matadores. This has been one of the most balanced leagues in a while where every week each team has a shot at a win and the playoff seeding has come down to the final week.
Week 9 Results
Mayfair had a Bye.
Norwalk 61 Artesia 33: Early on, the Pioneers looked liked they just might upset the Norwalk Lancers. They hit big on their first play from scrimmage as WR Travon Payne toasted CB Adrian Gonzales for an 80 yard TD. The Lancers would respond with a big run from do-everything back Elihjaa Penny. The Pioneers QB Montez Hunter was causing fits for the Lancer defense in the first half as he ran all over them at will. In the second half, the Lancers defense stepped up and became stouter, as their ground game got going and they ran all over the Pioneers. Elihjaa Penny and Davion Edwards combined for over 400 yards of offense as they cleared the way for QB Dominique Diaz to use play action to hit big on a few passes for TD's.
John Glenn 35 Cerritos 29: The Eagles-in a do or die situation-came through as they walked out of Hanford Rants Stadium with a victory; and are now a step closer to the playoffs. This was a night of the running back, as senior RB Brandon Kelly from John Glenn was not to be out shined by senior running back Derek Jones of Cerritos. It was as if they kept trying to one up each other in this game. When the dust had settled, it was Kelly who was victorious on the field and on the stat sheet. His final stat line: 20 carries, 183 yards, and 4 TD's. 
Derek Jones finished with 22 carries and 146 yards and 2 TD's. Cerritos was aided by special teams when they blocked an extra point, and they received a 98-yard kick-off return from Junior Aaron Francis for a TD. This game came down to the last drive of the game, with the Eagles getting a TD from Brandon Kelly on the ground with 23 seconds left.
Unsyncables Win US Masters Synchronized Swimming Championship
La Mirada~The Unsyncables of La Mirada took the Overall High Point Award at the U.S. Masters Synchronized Swimming Championships held over the weekend of October 23-25 in Coral Springs, Fla.
The Unsyncables received 144.5 total points through a variety of competitions to earn its third consecutive High Point Title, and eighth in the past 12 years. Thirty-three teams competed in the event.
The La Mirada Unsyncables is a non-for-profit organization whose membership is open to adults 20 years of age and older. The team works out weekly at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center, creating routines for competitions and water shows, and working together to promote the sport of synchronized swimming. Current swimmers range from 20-89 years of age.
Suburban League Week 8 Review; Week 9 Preview
Week 8 Review
Well, this was a terrific week of football in the Suburban League. We saw the not-so-mighty Lancers from Norwalk lose. There were two games that came down to the wire; the Mayfair vs. Artesia game went into overtime; and the Norwalk vs. La Mirada game came down to the wire. I feel that all of the teams this week played well and played as hard as they could.
Week 8 Results
John Glenn had a Bye.
Mayfair 35 Artesia 28 (OT): This one became a barn-burner, as the host Pioneers of Artesia would not be denied, giving the visiting Monsoons all that they could handle for four quarters and then came up a little bit short in overtime. The Artesia defense, which is led by MLB TJ Taimutuia, and OLB Adam Leutele, both turned in tremendous efforts. The Pioneers on offense, where led by WR Travon Payne who had seven catches for 87 yards. Unfortunately, he just couldn't find the end zone. Mayfair was able to let go a sigh of relief after the final whistle blew- because they were victorious- and the game was a just a slugfest.
Bellflower 41 Cerritos 17: The Buccaneers only needed three quarters to put this one out of reach, as they just pounded the visiting Dons. Their offense ran the ball right down the throat of the Dons defense. It seemed as if the Dons were helpless to stop them. Their offense didn't help them at all, as they fumbled the ball, and just couldn't convert on third and fourth downs when they needed to. Bellflower LB Marquis Patton returned an interception for a touchdown. QB Jeremy Allen tossed two TD passes in the win.
La Mirada Football Wins Thriller
Norwalk~La Mirada High, down 26-7 in the second quarter, rallied to win tonight 42-33 over Norwalk and take over sole possesion of first place in the Suburban League..
The win keeps La Mirada (7-1, 4-0), undefeated in league play with two games remaining. Norwalk (7-1, 3-1), suffered its first loss of the season.
La Mirada trailed by twelve on two separate occasions in this game-and once by 19 when it was 26-7.
Trailing 26-14 at the half, La Mirada scored two touchdowns in less than two minutes and went ahead 28-26. Norwalk answered back and made the score 33-28, but the rest was all La Mirada as they scored two more TD's to secure the victory.
Suburban League Week 7 Review; Week 8 Preview
Week 7 Review This was definitely a great week of football, as there were several surprises. The biggest was Artesia, who was winless going in to the game, and then beat John Glenn at their homecoming. That was a crushing game for the Eagles, who seemed not entirely focused during the game. Congratulations to the Matadores who are one step closer in their quest of a Suburban League title. Norwalk, feeling that they got lucky last week in winning, went out this week and destroyed the Dons of Cerritos.
Week 7 Results
Bellflower had a Bye.
Artesia 44 John Glenn 40: The Eagles who might have been still dwelling on last week's loss to Norwalk, never fully showed up for this game. The Artesia Pioneers showed a lot of heart, grit and determination as they played hard until the last whistle. QB Montez Hunter hit Trevon Payne on a "Hail Mary" with 30 seconds left in the game, and Payne caught the ball with CB Ashton Simmons, and FS Jose Escobar draped all over him. But, the Eagles had a shot to win the game when on the final play; Junior Dejon Bernard dropped a pass, where if he catches it, he had a shot to score. The Eagles defense had bright spots with MLB Niua Niumataevalu taking an interception in for a TD. Then OLB Davon Foggie had an interception. The Eagles bye week couldn't come at a better time.
Norwalk 60 Cerritos 8: The Dons are back in the loss column as they looked overmatched from the outset against the Lancers. The Lancers are ranked number one in the Southern Division, and they showed why on Friday night as they just continue to rack up yards in the ground game. They are led by the hard running WB Adrian Gonzales. He went over the 100 yard mark again this season. The Lancers defense came out and played hard and fast containing the speed of TB Aaron Francis, and QB/WR Marquis Moss. The Dons just couldn't get on track as they fell behind early
Suburban League Week 6 Review; Week 7 Preview
Week 6 Review: WOW!!! Every game this weekend was a nail biter with the Norwalk vs. Glenn game coming down to the last possession. The streak is over as the Cerritos Dons have won their first game since 2007. This past weeks games where phenomenal. Anyone wanting to go see good football-and pay a reasonable price- go to a Suburban League Football game.
Week 6 Results:
La Mirada had a Bye.
Norwalk 42 John Glenn 35: The Eagles looked like every other team that has played the Lancers, they where down 28-7 at halftime behind a stellar performance from WB Adrian Gonzales. At that point, it looked like the Lancers where going to run away with yet another game. But in the second half, the Eagles made some adjustments on defense, and starting shutting down the Lancers vaunted double-wing attack. The Eagles struck first after halftime on an 80-yard TD pass from QB Jose Escobar to do-everything TB Dejon Bernard. Then, after a defensive stop, it was Bernard who threw a 40-yard TD pass to Escobar who was wide open on the play. Sandwiched in between were two TD's by TB Brandon Kelly who looked healthy for the first time in over a month. In the end, the Eagles came up just short. The Eagles were trying to tie the game as Escobar's fourth-and-two attempted completion, to a crossing Bernard, fell incomplete. A sigh of relief could be seen on the Norwalk coach's faces.
Cerritos 27 Artesia 21: The Dons walked on the field Friday night at Artesia High School and noticed it was homecoming. They decided to play the role of spoilers, as they pounded the Pioneers. They were led by TB Aaron Francis who does anything and everything that he is asked to do during the game. He took reps at QB in a Wildcat formation. He was a one-man wrecking crew as he bruised his way up and down the field. The Pioneers are just trying to stay healthy right now, as they are without the services of QB Anthony Johnson, who has a bruised thigh that is keeping him from playing. They are now led on offense by QB Montez Hunter who is trying to do his best to keep them in the game. The efforts of Earnest Randall who broke several big plays on reverses, kept Artesia close.
Suburban League Football Week 5 Recap; Week 6 Review
Suburban League Week 5
Week 5 Review: League is well under way and there were no surprises at all this past week. At this point, teams are starting to distance themselves from the rest of the pack and the league championship push has turned, in my opinion, into a three-horse race, with the Mayfair Monsoons out in front. The Matadores and the Lancers feel they have something to say about that.
Week 5 Results
Norwalk had a Bye.
Mayfair 46 John Glenn 24: The Eagles looked like they were going to end the Monsoons streak early, as they jumped out to a 10 point advantage. The Monsoons regrouped, and showed why they are the defending eight-time league champions. The Eagles bright spot was Niua Niumataevalu, the talented Junior TB/ MLB has been a punishing force on both sides of the ball. This was evident on one of his runs, as he broke several tackles and sprinted down the sideline and finally was run out of bounds after a 35 yard gain. Dominique Small for Mayfair was not to be out done as he shredded the Eagles defense for over 100 yards rushing. He leads a very talented crop of TB’s for Mayfair.
La Mirada 42 Cerritos 20: The Dons still have the losing streak going and again, they are really getting tired of the streak. And it is still lingering over their head. The Matadores came and pounded the Dons early and often. It was clear from the beginning, that this was an overmatched Cerritos team. However, the Dons have two ultra-talented under classmen on their roster. Sophomore QB Marquis Moss who is a threat to go to the house every time he touches the ball. Also, their TB Aaron Francis is a hard running junior who is the only other true threat that the Dons possess on offense; and he is a stud on defense as well. QB Daniel Poncedeleon couldn’t be outdone as he led an aerial assault against the Dons secondary; he threw for 135 yards and two TD’s and didn’t play much in the second half. He looks like the most lethally accurate QB in the Suburban League.
Suburban League Football Week 4 Recap; Week 5 Review
Suburban League Week 4
Week 4 Review: League has started and there were no surprises at all. The games were not that close, although the La Mirada vs. Glenn game looked like a slugfest-for about a half. Then the Matadores took control, although I don’t think that Glenn looked like its old self. They didn’t fold, and they played hard till the end; and I think they earned some respect from the Matadores.
Week 4 Results
Norwalk 58 Bellflower 7: This game was truly one-sided, as the visiting Lancers let their ground game steam-roll the Buccaneers. The Lancers offense looked unstoppable, as the Buccaneers defense seemed to be overmatched. The Buccaneers now try to regroup as they get ready to play 0-4 Artesia. The Lancers ground attack is one that truly has been dominating, and no one has been able to hold it in check. They are led by wingbacks Adrian Gonzales, and Billy Moore. They are steady with the hard running FB’s Adrian Cortez and Elijhaa Penny. The Lancers ride high into their bye week as they get ready for their cross town rivalry game with the Eagles of John Glenn.
La Mirada 41 John Glenn 24: The Matadores offense had great field position in the first half and they capitalized on mistakes by John Glenn. They led 14-7 at the half, and when the third quarter started they had possession until Matt Haltom fumbled the ball. The Eagles had a golden opportunity and they didn’t capitalize on it, as they only came away with a field goal. The Matadores then reeled off 27 unanswered points. The Eagles however would not go quietly as they stormed back for 14 more points including a 95 yard pass from QB Jose Escobar to TB DJ Bernard. After the game, it could be seen that the Eagles had made too many mistakes to win, but they had earned a little respect. For Coach Wilson, who is trying to turn a team that has been in the Suburban League dungeon into a winner, this shows that he is headed in the right direction.
Suburban League Football Week 3 Recap; Week 4 Review
Editors Update: Recently, Artesia High Head Coach Aaron Craver either resigned, or was fired. Craver claims he was fired and school principal Sergio Garcia is saying Craver resigned.
Week 3 Review: Well, I was right on picking five of the seven winners from this past weekend games. I thought that the Dons of Cerritos would finally pick up a win. This was not the case. I feel really bad for those kids; a lot have been on varsity for the last three years including this year, and have only one varsity win. That is just awful.
Week 3 Results:
Norwalk 33 Paramount 8: This Game was a blow out from the start. The Lancers moved from their traditional Double Wing attack in the second half, and went to a Triple Power I formation that had 5'11'' 275 FB Davion Edwards, 6'2'' 240 FB Adrian Cortez leading the way for Elijah Penny, who is 6'2'' 245, and he showed break away speed on a 60 yard gain that took Norwalk's offense to the two yard line, before he punched in the TD. Paramount was their own worst enemy on their first drive when they committed five penalties and where forced to punt. It was downhill from there.
La Mirada 38 La Serna 17: The Matadores beat another team in the area, by trouncing the Lancers of La Serna. QB DanielPoncedeleon was lethally accurate as he picked apart the Lancers defense. Coach Moschetti has these boys playing well and they are rolling full steam ahead. Senior TE/DE R.J. Lujan made his presence felt on both sides off the ball as he had two sacks on defense and had a TD catch on offense. He has really stepped his game up while senior Keith Coty is out with a knee injury.
Glenn 55 La Quinta 14: The Eagles got back in the win column against a team that seemed over matched from the start. The defense forced four turnovers, including three INT's with Jose Escobar, Clinton Greenway, and DJ Bernard each hauling in one. D.J. Bernard was electric in this game as he had five TD's (three rushing, one receiving, and a punt return). The Eagles also debuted a new face on offense, a bruising back in MLB Niumataevalu, who seemed to enjoy punishing those that got in his way. Sophomore Vincent Watkins made the catch of the night with a defender draped all over him; he leaped over him, and made a catch right on the goal line.
Suburban League Football Week 2 Recap; Week 3 Review
Week 2 Review: Well, I was right on picking five of the six winners from this past weekend’s games. I thought the John Glenn Eagles would soar high and go 3-0 for the first time in almost two decades. Whoops! The other teams in Glenn’s district are rolling right now. This is the last week before we get into league play and all of the teams are looking to fine-tune themselves and gear up for the playoff push. I will re-examine my predictions from the beginning of the season and I will update them next week.
Week 2 Results:
Norwalk 32 Pacifica 14: The Lancers look like they have found another pair of running backs in senior Adrian Gonzales and Junior Billy Moore as both looked unstoppable in shredding the visiting Mariners defense. I look for them to continue their tear into league.
La Mirada 35 California 20: This game was a huge game for both schools, and the crowd size was evident. Cal High’s side was almost sold out and that was amazing especially for a Thursday night game. The game was a slugfest. Unfortunately for the Condors, they made the first mistake, and the Matadors capitalized by going 29 yards for a TD. QB Daniel Poncedeleon looked like a Division I QB, and the connection of him to Julian Matta works really well for them. They hooked up for an 80 yard catch-and-run for a TD.
H.H. Wilson 35 Glenn 14: The Eagles looked like a team that walked into the half with a lead and came out not knowing how to play football. The only thing more atrocious than the way they played the second half was the officiating. In this case, it had nothing to do with bad calls, but their inability to protect players. Several skirmishes broke out during the game, and not one official intervened. The bright spot for the Eagles was D.J. Bernard taking a bobbled kickoff 93 yards back for a TD. Their MLB Niumataevalu looks like a beast; he seemed to be everywhere.
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