SPARTANS FIGHT BACK, STILL PERFECT
IMPERIAL – The Central Union High football team faced its toughest contest of the season when the squad met an emotionally charged Imperial High team at Shimamoto-Simpson Stadium here on Friday night.
The Tigers and entire Imperial community were mourning the loss of Justin Denault, a former Tiger football player and 2018 graduate, who lost his life in a car accident just two weeks ago.
As a result, the Spartans trailed the Tigers for most of the game until a monstrous effort in the final quarter helped push the visitors to a 28-23 come-frombehind victory.
The Spartans were down 23-21 at the start of the fourth quarter yet with help from their raucous supporters and The Great Spartan Band, the visitors appeared to hold all the momentum heading into the final 12 minutes of the game, despite Imperial having possession to open the fourth. The Tigers put up a solid couple of drives, highlighted by a 15yard pass from Santiago De La Torre to Preston Roben.
Despite the big gain, the Spartan defense recorded a sack courtesy of Michael Moreno, forcing the Tigers to punt and setting up what would eventually be Central’s game-winning touchdown.
On the legs of Jonathan Medina, the Spartans made their way from the 49-yard line and into the end zone with Medina punching it in from 10 yards out.
Nathan Santana then added the PAT to go a perfect 4-4 on extra-point attempts on the night.
Medina was a force to be reckoned with all game as he scored three touchdowns from 26, 10 and 10 yards out, while junior quarterback Deniro Osuna added the fourth score off a 14-yard dash to open the game.
Like the Spartans’ offensive efforts, the team’s defense played an equally crucial role, causing five Tiger turnovers on a series of fumbles and interceptions.
Central’s most notable interception came in the fourth with just over one minute on the clock, when Thadeo Campbell leapt into the air and snagged a deep throw, preserving the Spartans’ lead and perfect record.
Second-year Spartan Head Coach David Peña said he was extremely proud of the effort his players and their ability to work through some early kinks, including a pair of miscues that cost them two touchdowns.
“They went back to what they knew and continued to work hard and just trust in each other,” Peña said.
Since Peña took the helm of the program last season, the team has so far put together a combined record of 18-2.
“The kids have really bought in to what we’re trying to do,” Peña explained. “We always tell them that football has a unique culture at Central. They’re playing for something greater than themselves.”
Peña noted the support of the crowd and the band in keeping his players in the game and motivating them in the final moments.
“(Director) Mrs. (Renee) Baker does an awesome job, absolutely,” Peña said with a smile. “We appreciate the band and all the parents for their support.”