2 weeks Ago
WHITTIER — With less than four minutes remaining and one yard shy of the endzone following a 28-yard run by El Rancho’s Ryan Dominguez, Diego Diaz finished the drive with a game-winning one yard touchdown run on Thursday in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 11 football playoffs. El Rancho was able to pull out a 31-28 victory and will next face Friday’s winner between Los Amigos and Perris in next week’s quarterfinals. “We came out and battled our butts off,” Dominguez said.
“It feels great to come out with the victory.” The Dons’ victory over Bell Gardens was an all-around effort that featured them scoring with two different running backs and their defense being resilient when needed. The two teams met earlier in the season when the Dons routed the Lancers 42-20 back in August.
“It was a tough battle, they definitely played their hearts out.” Dominguez said of Bell Gardens. El Rancho had three rushing touchdowns and ran the ball for 152 yards behind the comination of Diaz, Giovani Montenegro, and Jonathan Medina.
Bell Gardens had two rushing touchdowns by Jesse Medina who ran the ball for 125 yards. They also had one receiving touchdown by Bryant Rios from a 20-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Michael Mendoza tying the game 21-21 in the third quarter. “He’s (Medina) on the field all the time and he’s actually our third-string running back,” Bell Gardens coach Rudy Ramirez said prior to Thursday’s game.
“He will do well wherever we put him.” “We made some mistakes obviously but we found a way to win a close football game.” El Rancho coach Adrian Medrano said.
Bell Gardens held the lead just once after the Dons kicked a 28-yard field goal by Joshua Campos. On the next play, Devyn Duarte returned the kickoff 82 yards to give Bell Gardens a 28-24 lead in the fourth quarter. El Rancho’s next possession started on the 50-yard, which was the drive that led to the game-winning score.
In the first half, El Rancho scored on their first possession of the night as Anthony Orihuela carried the ball eight times. Jonathan Medina finished the drive with a 4-yard run into the endzone. Both teams did not score again until the last minute of the second quarter.
Following a 34-yard run late in the second, Jesse Medina tied the game for Bell Gardens at 7-7 with a four-yard run into the endzone. On the next drive, El Rancho needed just 48 seconds to score a touchdown. Phoenix Navarrao hauled in a 10-yard reception for a first down.
On that play, Bell Gardens committed a helmet-to-helmet penalty which resulted in an additional 15 yards. Following two incomplete passes, the Dons were facing a third and nine. Medrano drew up a screen pass to Guerrero who ran the ball 39 yards to give his team a late lead before the half.
Penalties were an issue for the Lancers in the first half as they had three facemask calls go against them and the helmet-to-helmet call. Despite entering halftime down by one, Bell Gardens’ defense was a difference maker for them as they were able to keep them in the game by forcing two turnovers. The first came on a fumble recovery near their own endzone.
The second came from Dominguez’s only interception of the night to Rios. In the second half, both teams’ first offensive possessions were nearly identical. Bell Gardens put together a long nine-play drive that finished with an eight-yard run by Medina in the endzone.
El Rancho had an 11-play drive that finished with a 3-yard run by Giovani Montenegro following a roughing the passer call. After Montenegro’s run, the Lancers appeared to have had their first break of the night as they were able to recover their own kickoff to recover the ball. With the Lancers 30 yards away from the endzone, El Ranchos defense was resilient and forced the Lancers to punt the ball away.
It wasn’t until two drives later in the fourth quarter that the Dons were able to take the lead following Campos’ 25-yard field goal. As the fourth quarter went on, the Dons defense was able to force the Lancers to turn the ball over on downs and a fumble by Medina with 9:16 left in the quarter. “Coach Ramirez and his coaching staff at Bell Gardens did a tremendous job, their kids played really tough.
” Medrano said. “That’s Bell Gardens football right there. They’re a tough program.
They have tough kids. They’re well-coached. So hats off to them they had a tremendous season.
” After Diaz got his team the lead in the quarter, El Rancho’s defense took care of business and made Bell Gardens punt after a three and out. “Our defense battled,” Dominguez said. “They came out and showed up.
It was our job as an offense to battle for them. And we did in the end.” The Dons were able to control the ball with less than three minutes and were able to pick up one first down and run out the clock to end the game.
Part one of my pregame interview with El Rancho coach Adrian Medrano ahead of tonight’s game against Bell Gardens @SGVNSports @InsideSoCalSpts @SoCalVarsity @ElRanchoHS @ERCoachMedrano pic.twitter.com/ANPSorPZOj — Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) November 8, 2024 Pre game interview with Bell Gardens football coach Rudy Ramirez pic.
twitter.com/oCxpg5mYHQ — Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) November 8, 2024 Pre game interview with Bell Gardens football coach Rudy Ramirez pic.twitter.
com/oCxpg5mYHQ — Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) November 8, 2024 Both El Rancho and Bell Gardens coming out for tonight’s coin toss. @SGVNSports @SoCalVarsity @WeAreERFootball pic.twitter.
com/liha2fKb07 — Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) November 8, 2024 Bell Gardens just got on the board from a 2 yard Jesse Medina touchdown run. This game is tied with 53 seconds in the second quarter. Bell Gardens will be receiving to start the second half.
@SGVNSports El Rancho: 7 Bell Gardens: 7 pic.twitter.com/GpyYWyRGI4 — Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) November 8, 2024.
