Spartans surge past Tigers
EL CENTRO — The Central Union High School football team used a strong first half to beat visiting Imperial High School, 28-7, in an Imperial Valley League game Friday in El Centro.
The Spartans improved to 2-0 in league and 4-4 overall as they turn their attention to cross-town rival Southwest High School (2-6, 0-2 IVL) in the annual El Centro City Championship set for Friday at Southwest.
“It was a great game between two great opponents,” said Central head coach David Peña. “We’re running on all cylinders now. We have to soak that (win) in and move on to the next opponent.”
The Tigers drop to 4-4 overall, 0-2 in league and will host Calexico High School (4-4, 1-2 IVL) in hopes of recording their first league win.
“We played well the second half,” said Imperial head coach David Shaw. “They got up on us the first half and just very proud of my kids for fighting back.”
On Friday, the Spartans struck first when Charlie Sullivan scored off a 1-yard dive with
5:31 left in the first quarter. Mylas Rodriguez added the point after touchdown to give the Spartans 7-0 lead.
In the first play of their ensuing drive, the Tigers fumbled on a rushing play. Josiel Rodriguez scooped up the ball and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. Rodriguez added the PAT and the Spartans took a 14-0 lead with 5:06 left in the first quarter.
Central added another score in the second quarter when Sullivan again rushed 1 yard for a touchdown. Rodriguez’s PAT gave the Spartans a 21-0 lead with 9:15 left in the first half.
The Tigers avoided another score by the Spartans with an interception by Devin Meza inside their end zone for a touchback with 1:46 left in the second quarter.
Imperial got on the scoreboard in the third quarter with a 4-yard run by Seth Shaw with 2:23 left in the quarter. Ethan Gonzalez Lopez added the PAT and the Tigers cut Central’s lead, 21-7.
Central added its last score of the game when quarterback Damian Rodriguez threw a 15yard touchdown pass to Arturo Estrada. Mylas Rodriguez added the
PAT for the final score of 28-7 with 3:31 left in the contest.
“I thought we played great. Out minor mistakes showed a little bit, but we ended with the win,” said Central senior Dominic Lerma. “I know our team and defensive line and whole defense played our hearts out.”