El Monte 37, Marshall 19 There was no love lost Thursday night during or after El Monte’s 37-19 Mission Valley League victory over Marshall at Pasadena High School. First, El Monte’s Devin Romero ruined the Eagles’ Homecoming game by running for over 130 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. Then, there was what Marshall coach Scott […]
El Monte 37, Marshall 19
There was no love lost Thursday night during or after El Monte’s 37-19 Mission Valley League victory over Marshall at Pasadena High School.
First, El Monte’s Devin Romero ruined the Eagles’ Homecoming game by running for over 130 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.
Then, there was what Marshall coach Scott Faer claimed was illegal activity going unpunished by the El Monte linebackers that was not only disallowed by rule, but cost him several players.
“They did a defensive scheme that was eliminated years ago, where they were chopping our lineman from the linebacker position, and unfortunately the refs weren’t making the calls,” Faer said. “I had four lineman go out injured and unfortunately we don’t have a lot of depth on the line. The refs said they didn’t see what I was talking about.”
Marshall (3-2 overall, 0-1 in league) got off quick, and took its first drive to the house, capped by a 4-yard DJ Paul touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.
After Robert Gonzalez’ 21-yard field goal got El Monte (4-2, 2-0) within 7-3, Marshall bounced back when Jonathon Frimpong scored on a 66-yard run with 5:08 to play in the first half.
Romero, though, scored the first of his three touchdowns, when, with 2:35 until the break, rumbled in from 2 yards out, and the Lions trailed 13-10.
El Monte would score the next 27 points and the second half was never competitive.
Romero also found the end zone on runs of 16 and 22 yards, and finished with 131 yards on 21 carries for an El Monte team that is on a 4-game win streak.
“We came out flat in the first half, but our offensive line knew they had to step it up, and they came out firing in the second half,” Romero said.
The Lions seemed to take control for good, when, midway through the third quarter, Frimpong carried the ball up the middle.
He got hit, the ball popped up and El Monte’s Kevin Molina snatched it in the air, and brought it back 39 yards for the score.
When asked why El Monte dominated the second half, Faer said it was all a result of the Lions defensive scheme and the coach again voiced his displeasure.
Said Faer: “It was extremely frustrating to see my own guys getting hurt. I am going to send the film to the head official and try and get them removed or have corrections made.”
Marshall was shut out in the second half, until, with 2 seconds to play in the game, Paul scored on a 12-yard run for his second TD of the night.
Romero, asked what the Lions were able to do to keep the Eagles’ offense frustrated in the second half, said, “Just getting dirty. Doing whatever we gotta do to stop them from running (the ball).”
Frimpong had 107 yards rushing and a score for Marshall, and Paul gained 80 yards on 20 carries, including TD runs of 4 and 12 yards.
Saul Chavez had two catches for 34 yards for El Monte.
Andrew Ramos had 71 yards rushing at quarterback for the Lions.
Marshall will get Mountain View (2-3) at Pasadena High as Mission League play and the hunt for a playoff berth continues.
“We’re not the type of program that’s going to hang their heads,” Faer said. “We’re going to get back after it tomorrow.”
** Thanks to Johnny Casillas for statistical data
Box Score:
El Monte: 0-10-14-13-(37)
Marshall: 7-6-0-6-(19)
Scoring:
M: DJ Paul 4 run (Josh Mendez kick)
EM: Robert Gonzalez 21 FG
M: Jonathon Frimpong 66 run (run failed)
EM: Devin Romero 3 run (Gonzalez kick)
EM: Andrew Ramos 1 run (Gonzalez kick)
EM: Kevin Molina 39 fumble return (Gonzalez kick)
EM: Romero 16 run (Gonzalez kick)
EM: Romero 22 run (Gonzalez kick)
M: Paul 12 run (pass failed)
Related Post
