Matador ‘D’ takes Tigers out early
- Updated: September 23, 2017
2017 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
MOUNT MIGUEL 20, IMPERIAL 14
EastCountySports.com staff report
IMPERIAL —The Mount Miguel Matadors shut out the host Imperial Tigers in the first half, then held off the hosts, 20-14, for a non-league victory at Shimamoto-Simpson Stadium Friday night.
Mount Miguel’s fast-tempo game-opening drive led by senior running back SHEMAR GREENE and senior quarterback MUGABE MILLER put the Matadors ahead 7-0.
The Matadors got their second touchdown midway through the second quarter when SANTINO PACHECO intercepted a pass by Imperial’s Wyatt Rodriguez and ran it back for a touchdown to make it 13-0 Matadors. The PAT was missed.
While Imperial came close to the end zone a few times in the first half, they were halted by a sizable Matador defense that caused and recovered multiple fumbles.
Mount Miguel shut the Tigers out in the first half.
The Tigers were plagued by too many mental mistakes and penalties, according to Imperial head coach Kerry Legarra.
In the second half, the Tigers were able to get on the board after a long drive.
Senior running back Brandon Hueso finished the march with a 7-yard TD, drawing the score to 13-7.
Hueso tallied 265 yards on 38 carries.
After Hueso’s score, the Matadors answered with an 85-yard Miller to Greene screen pass to give the visitors a 20-7 advantage with 9:28 left in the third.
“We were down a couple of offensive guys on the line today, so it was time for our defense to step up and they answered the call all over the place,” Mount Miguel head coach SHAUN MCDADE said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the kids of the adversity they fought through tonight.
“We are playing some pretty good football and we’ve played a lot of close games, so we are pretty battle-tested. I like our chances (in the Grossmont Valley League).”
Toward the end of the third, the Tigers got a drive going that continued into the fourth quarter and was capped by another Hueso rush, this one from 9 yards out.
While the defense managed to hold the Matadors at bay for the rest of the game, the Tiger offense couldn’t capitalize on big passes to try and tie or win the game.
