Norwalk rolls past Savanna, 55-0

Norwalk running back Adrian Ramirez (2) runs in for a touchdown against Savanna in their non-league game at the Norwalk High School Stadium on Thursday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

NORWALK – It was a clean sweep for the Norwalk, John Glenn and La Mirada high school football teams this past week with big wins in week three of the 2021 season.

Santa Fe lost its third consecutive game, but scored its first points of the season.

Norwalk 55, Savanna 0

After a season-opening loss to San Marino, the Norwalk Lancers have been on a roll with two convincing victories.

The latest, a 55-0, shutout over visiting Savanna (0-3), last Thursday September 2, which was the largest margin of victory for the Lancers since a 69-6 thrashing over Cerritos in 2017.

“It (win) feels great,” said Norwalk coach Ruben Guerrero, after the big win. “The offense had a big night (Sept. 2). The kids played hard and they came out with intention and I’m happy for them.

“We’re 2-1 to open the season, spirits are high, moral is high and it’s awesome to be part of (winning). They are learning all aspects of the game.”

The Lancers also began the season with three consecutive home games after debuting their new stadium on opening night.

“It’s our third home game and we’re getting kind of used to being here,” said Guerrero, of the new facility. “We like being here. The next three are on the road and we’ll see how that goes.”

The Norwalk offense totaled 470 yards rushing by nine different players.

Norwalk running back David Herrera (31) runs the ball for a touchdown after a blown Savanna field goal in their non-league game at the Norwalk High School Stadium on Thursday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

Leading the way for the Lancers was junior running back David Herrera with a monster game on the ground with 224 yards on 10 carries and five touchdowns, which included a 95-yard return after a muffed field goal by Savanna.

“(Herrera) had a breakout game,” Guerrero said. “He was on fire on all cylinders Thursday night.

“When he started to warm up, we saw something in David. He was really determined.”

Herrera now has seven total touchdowns on the season.

Senior running back Jonathan Goodloe carried the ball eight times for 119 yards and a score, while junior running back Adrian Ramirez (2 carries, 50 yards) and junior quarterback Caden Barnhill (4 carries, 25 yards) each scored a rushing touchdown.

Anthony Martinez and Sam Aguirre ran for 20 and 13 yards, respectively, for the Lancers.

Herrera started the Lancer offense going on the second play from scrimmage, as he scored on a 56-yard run to give Norwalk an early, 7-0 lead.

The Lancers scored on their next two consecutive series on a 44-yard TD run by Goodloe and a 2-yard run by Barnhill for the 21-0 first-quarter lead.

Norwalk running back Jonathan Goodloe (6) runs for yardage as they play Savanna in their non-league game at the Norwalk High School Stadium on Thursday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

The Lancers duplicated that with another 21 points as it was all Herrera in the second quarter.

Herrera scored on a 7-yard run for the 28-0 lead. On a Savanna field goal attempt, Herrera got the loose ball after a tipped 25-yard field goal attempt and ran it back for a 95-yard touchdown.

He would add another long scoring run (58 yards) for the 42-0 halftime lead.

For the fifth and final time, Herrera crossed the goal line in the third quarter with another long run of 41 yards and a 49-0 lead.

Ramirez completed the scoring with a 17-yard run late in the third quarter.

“We were having a lot of success, so we kept it on the ground,” added Guerrero. “I’m very proud of the kids. The offensive line, led by (senior guard) Damon Ramirez, (senior guard) Angel Rosales and (senior center) Diego Hernandez did an excellent job. They are the leaders of the offense.”

As for the defense, Guerrero challenged them and said, “They really came through.”

Free safety Goodloe was one of the standouts, along with the linebackers. “They worked their butts off,” Guerrero said.

“I’m happy for the kids and they are working very hard,” concluded Guerrero.

Next Friday, Guerrero and John Glenn coach, David Cruz, will face off for the first time as head coaches as Norwalk travels to Glenn.

Norwalk quarterback Caden Barnhill throws a pass as they play Savanna in their non-league game at the Norwalk High School Stadium on Thursday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

Lancers Notes

Guerrero was an assistant baseball coach under Cruz and both served as assistant football coaches under former JG coach Ken Mason in 2005 and ’06……….Norwalk kicker, Nelson Vazquez, a junior, is a soccer player by trade. “He never played football and he has come through without exception,” Guerrero added. “He’s all in and he’s lights out for us.”

John Glenn 22, Cabrillo 6

The Eagles stayed perfect at 2-0 with a nonleague win over visiting Cabrillo of Long Beach.

Leading the way for Glenn was senior running back Jonah Young with 112 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.

“(Young) has a great eye for a hole and is quick-footed,” said John Glenn coach David Cruz of his running back. “He knows how to set up the defense. We’re blessed to have him. Some of his football savvy is big for us.”

Senior quarterback Nataniel Jacobo was 3 of 5, Int. for 42 yards and a passing touchdown.

Opening the scoring for the Eagles was Jacobo with a 10-yard run and the 7-0 lead. Highlighting the drive was a 30-yard reception by junior wide receiver Thomas Lee down to the 5-yard line. After a penalty that brought the ball back to the 10-yard line, Jacobo ran the ball in for the score.

Young gave JG a 14-0 lead in the second quarter with a 17-yard run for the touchdown.

Highlighting the defense in the first half was senior linebacker Richard Ramos with an interception.

Cabrillo scored its only TD in the third quarter to trail, 14-6.

In the fourth quarter, sophomore receiver Ray Breslin hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jacobo and Young added the 2-point conversion run for the 22-6 final.

Defensive standouts for the Eagles were Jacobo at linebacker and junior linebacker Alex Valdez.

Up front in the trenches at Tackle, they were led by junior Mikel Udengwu and junior Joseph Chavez.

Udengwu, who also is a discus thrower for the track and field team, had an interception in the second half for Glenn.

As for the short season last year, Cruz took the positive out of it for his team. ”There were a lot of bad things about Covid,” he said. “But, because of it, the kids got a lot of film sessions.”

Glenn will play Bonita Vista (0-1), of Chula Vista, Friday night, September 10. “They look extremely athletic,” Cruz said. “It’s going to be a test for us.”

La Mirada 31, St. Margaret’s 21

La Mirada (2-1) picked up a come-from-behind win over visiting St. Margaret’s at Excelsior high with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter in a nonleague game last week.

“I’m really proud of this group,” La Mirada coach Mike Moschetti said. “These kids don’t quit.

“We need to play really good football this week.”

The Matadores travel to Millikan (1-2) of Long Beach Friday September 10.

Junior quarterback Nehuel Garcia led the Matadores with 7 of 12 passing for 168 yards and four touchdowns.

His favorite target was junior wide receiver Xavier Hicks (5 catches, 120 yards) with two touchdowns. He also had an interception for the Matadores.

“He did a really good job and he’s had a really good season,” Moschetti said.

Seniors John Ojeisekhoba (1 catch, 32 yards) and Alex Alonzo (1 catch, 16 yards) each had a TD reception for La Mirada.

Senior running back Eddie Lafferre (15 carries, 139 yards) ran for his second 100-plus game of the season and senior Jacob Black added 27 yards on four carries.

After a scoreless first quarter, Garcia threw a short pass (4 yards) to Hicks for the score in the second quarter.

“(Garcia) is showing great leadership,” said Moschetti, of his signal caller. “The bottom line is he made plays when he had to.”

Late in the half, St. Margaret’s tied the game at 7-7.

St. Margaret’s (0-2) missed two field goals in the first quarter and three in the game.

With nine minutes left in the third quarter, the Tartans took a 14-7 lead as quarterback Jack Ruff connected with receiver William Stahl for the 20-yard scoring pass.

La Mirada senior kicker Aidan Petruescu kicked his first field goal of the season with a 26 yarder to trail, 14-10, with six minutes left in the quarter.

St. Margaret’s extended its lead to 21-10, but the Matadores answered with a 17-yard TD pass to Hicks to trail by four points, 21-17 heading in to the final quarter.

Ojeisekhoba gave La Mirada its first lead since the second quarter with a 30-yard score with five minutes left in the game and the 24-21 lead.

Junior linebacker Trevor Cook intercepted a big pass for the Matdores, which was followed by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Alonzo for the 31-21 final.

Moschetti praised his defense for its aggressive play in the game. “With four or five sacks, the defense was hitting and was very physical and making good plays.”

San Dimas 40, Santa Fe 19

Santa Fe may be 0-3, but they got into the scoring column last week for the first time this season.

Junior quarterback Evan Melendrez led the Chiefs with two touchdowns and was 10 of 16 for 163 yards.

Melendrez also ran for 33 yards on 12 carries and a score.

Santa Fe sophomore receiver Matt Picado caught seven passes for 128 yards and two TD’s. Picado also accounted for 166 all-purpose yards.

Defensively, junior linebacker Pedro Debora led the team with 12 solo tackles and two assists. Junior defensive end Brian Hitch recorded a sack for the Chiefs and senior linebacker Angel Jimenez recovered a fumble.

Santa Fe travels to Fullerton for a game Friday September 10.

St. Paul (2-0) will host Jordan (2-1), also on Friday.