Scots squeeze past Montgomery, 21-17
SAN DIEGO — On the road for the third time in as many weeks, the Vincent Memorial Scots managed to come away with a hardfought win over the Montgomery Aztecs on Friday evening to keep pace with fellow contender Holtville at 5-1 ahead of Manzanita League play.
The Aztecs proved to be Vincent’s toughest collar since their six-point win over Calexico in week three, striking first and leading the Scots for much of the way. This set up a tension-filled fourth quarter and a slim final margin. The game started out in low gear. The two teams traded punts, and then the Aztecs got the ball at their own 44.
Their next couple of plays were fairly inconsequential, advancing the ball a few yards here and there, but then, on the fourth play of the drive, a hole appeared in the Vincent secondary and Montgomery quarterback Keoa Gumataotao found Samson You down the left sideline with a tight spiral to bring his team all the way to the five.
The Scots made a brave goal-line stand, stopping two Aztec bull-rushes, but a third got by them and gave Mongomery a 7-0 lead.
Then, perhaps inspired by the Aztecs’ example, the Scots worked their way forward from the 20, fought past a fourth down, and busted out a long pass of their own — a 46-yarder to Alejandro Cervantes that went for a touchdown tie it at 7-7.
Next came gridlock. Neither team would score again in the first half, with Vincent missing a few opportunities to break the game open. The Scots had a couple of turnovers on downs, including one at the Montgomery 1-yard line, and missed a prime chance at a safety when tackle Baraquiel Fimbres bounced o Gumataotao in the end zone. Things looked good for Vincent to start the third. Cesar Vildosola intercepted Gumataotao four plays into Montgomery’s opening drive, but they were unable to capitalize, going four-and-out again to give the Aztecs the ball back near midfield.
Given a second chance, the Aztecs thanked the Scots the only way they knew how … with another Gumataotao to You connection — this time from 25 yards out — to get back in front 14-7.
That was the score heading into the fourth.
Vincent had been playing a solid game, but had been victimized a couple of times by the Aztecs explosive playmakers, and they were largely contained on o ense.
They knew they needed to make some adjustments in the last frame if they wanted to scratch out a W.
As many teams do when playing from behind, they took to the skies.
Quarterback Hernan Olivas responded well to the challenge, leading the Scots to 14 unanswered points. The first six came on a 48-yard dart to Noe Saenz in the end zone to tie it up with 10 minutes of game time remaining. Then, after the Scots’ D forced a punt, he hit Alvaro Gallastegui down the left sideline for a 55-yard score o of a post route, giving his team its first lead, 21-14.
That would be enough to salt it away. The Aztecs would kick a field goal on their next possession, but after the Scots got the ball back, they went about the business of smashing hourglasses, leaving Montgomery no time to pull ahead. Reflecting on the game a day later, Scots’ coach David Wong was pleased with his team’s ability to course-correct and Olivas’ (who finished 11 for 17 passing with 267 yards and 3 TDs) competency in orchestrating their comeback. He felt it boded well for their chances at future success as they approach league play.
“We’re figuring out what our weak points are, and we’re making the adjustments we need,” he said.
The Scots are scheduled to play Escondido Charter next, in a game that — if it takes place — would be held at Southwest High School on Friday. According to Coach Wong, however, there is a chance that Escondido will pull out of this matchup, as they have had an unfortunately high number of injuries over the past couple of weeks.
If that is the case, Vincent will be o until Oct. 12, when they host Calipatria (at Southwest) for their Senior Night.