Spartans shut down Bulldogs
CALEXICO — A seasoned Central Union High School football team is now prepared for its most anticipated game of the season after recording a dominating, 48-14, victory over Calexico High School at Ward Field here on Friday night.
The win gave the Spartans one last outing before facing Brawley Union High School in the 74th annual Bell Game next week.
The win also raised the Spartans’ overall record to 8-1, a type of mark the team hasn’t come close to seeing within the past five seasons.
“It means a lot to our kids. It’s a hard fought 8-1. It shows how much the kids have battled to get to this point right now,” expressed Central’s Head Coach David Peña.
While Calexico’s offensive was highlighted by senior quarterback Jorge Villalobos Jr., wide receiver Andy Rojas and wide receiver Manuel Segura, the unit fell short in the red zone and was unable to find the end zone in a majority of their drives.
Stopping the Bulldogs was a solid Spartan defense, anchored by a senior linebacker-duo of Kevin Even and Andres Garcia.
“Our defense has done a great job all year. Even with our turnovers tonight, our defense still really held them,” stated Peña.
Led by sophomore quarterback Deniro Osuna, the Spartans’ offense quickly made its presence felt at the start of the game, ending the first quarter with a 13-0.
The Spartans furthered their lead in the second quarter, 20-0, with a 15yard touchdown from Angel Nava-Esparza at the 6:30 mark.
Calexico’ would then put numbers on the board for the first time through a touchdown pass from Villalobos to Rojas for about 25-yards at the 3:30 mark in the second.
The Spartan offense responded with a 40-yard touchdown from running back Jonathan Medina at the 2-minute mark in the second quarter, ending the first half with a 27-7 lead.
Central then flexed its offensive muscles in the third quarter, scoring three consecutive touchdowns, giving them complete certainty of a victory for the rest of the game.
“We came out a little flat, but in the third quarter we were able to put some quick points and we were able to get our second string some playing time,” said junior defensive back Thadeo Campbell.
At the 10:30 mark, Campbell scored from a 35yard touchdown pass from Osuna, followed by a 75yard touchdown run at the 7-minute mark from Joseph Castillo, who also scored in the first quarter through a 20-yard run.
At the 4:40 mark, a 50yard run from Central’s Tyrese Marsh set up Osuna to score with a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line, raising the Spartans’ lead for the final time of the night, 48-7.
Calexico’s Segura then found the end zone through a 19-yard touchdown run at the 3:50 mark of the third quarter, to bring the score to 48-14, which marked the final score of the game as neither team found the end zone in the fourth.
“Today was a great win, but we gotta move on. We gotta prepare for Brawley because it’s going to be a whole different game,” noted Campbell.
Peña agreed and said the team needed to be prepared for next week.
“No one cares that we’re 8-1. It’s all about one game — the Bell Game. Records don’t matter, it’s all about pride and working through that,” he said.