Look for results from high school football Friday
EL CENTRO — A perfect record fell and a three-year win streak remained intact at the conclusion of an exciting City Championship football game at Southwest High School’s Eagle Field here on Friday night.
The Eagles hosted their cross-town rival Central Union High School in both teams’ Imperial Valley League opener. The rivalry game had plenty buzz surrounding it as both teams went into the contest with undefeated records of 5-0.
Yet, at the end of four quarters of play, it was Southwest High that came out with the 35-6 victory, handing the Spartans their first loss of the season and moving to a perfect 6-0 start for the third year in a row.
“I thought we came out a little slow, but toward the middle of the first quarter, we really got it going and pulled it together,” said Eagle Head Coach John Mitosinka.
In the opening minutes of the game, the teams appeared to be testing one another and exchanged possession of the ball quite often on downs.
With about three minutes left in the first quarter, it was the Eagles that broke up the backand-fourth play of the game. Southwest used the legs and grit of Justin Cordova to run down the field, eventually setting up a 24-yard Cameron Jungers to Reece Quintero pass.
After the Sergio Ruiz PAT, the Eagles had a 7-0 lead with 1:24 left on the clock.
The next series of plays showcased Southwest’s strength on special teams and defense as the kickoff flew beyond the end zone, forcing Central to start from its own 20yard line.
The Eagle defense took over from there and made the game 14-0 after Carlos Ruiz intercepted a pass and ran it back for a score.
“This is the best defense I’ve seen here in a very long time,” said Mitosinka of his players that have limited their opponents to just 30 points on the season. “They’re quick, agile and strong and a lot of that has to do with our defensive coordinator. He does a great job with them and we’re all very proud of them.”
The second quarter also featured tough Eagle defense and an offense that was beginning to grow more confident as the game went on.
With 7:10 on the clock, Jungers connected for his second touchdown pass, this time reaching Grant Hansink from 14 yards out to give his team a 21-0 advantage with the Ruiz PAT.
Tyler Saikhon then gave Southwest a 28-0 advantage before the end of the first half on a 9-yard rush with 3:51 left in the game.
The score was the first of two for the senior, who recorded both a 94-yard rushing touchdown and an interception in the fourth quarter.
Senior leader Israel Zermeño commended his defense on their efforts against Central as well as all their opponents so far this season.
“We knew we couldn’t underestimate Central,” said Zermeño. “We knew they were a passing team and we felt confident with our secondary… Tyler [Saikhon], Cameron [Jungers], all those guys back there can get it done.”
Zermeño and Trey McAllister have led the Eagles defensively all season, with Friday being no exception for the team’s leading tacklers.
“This just being our senior year and being the last time we played Central, we knew we had to win this game,” Zermeño said.
The Eagles are now the Imperial Valley’s only undefeated team as they prepare to host the defending IVL champions of Brawley Union High School next week.
“Brawley is strong and fast,” Mitosinka said. “We had a few turnovers [Friday] that can’t happen against Brawley. We’ll need to play solid, mistake-free football when we face them.”
Central also returns to the field next week to host Imperial High School.