Aztecs win third straight over Valley

ECS staff report

EL CAJON — It took more than three quarters to make any major significance on the scoreboard, yet the larger line for the Montgomery Aztecs finally broke open a ball game tied through three periods to tip the host El Cajon Valley Braves, 26-14, in Thursday’s (Sept. 8) non-league contest at Priest Field.

Aztecs senior running back Isaac Cervantes rushed for 205 yards on 22 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.

ECVHS trailed 14-7 at the half but moved even on a 1-yard, off-tackle run by Kal-el Gordon.

However, Montgomery quarterback Victor Flores sneaked in from the ECV 1 to regain the lead, however, when the conversion sailed wide, the Braves had an opening to mount a comeback victory.Instead, Montgomery’s defensive line forced a 3-and-out series, then Victor Flores, playing middle linebacker, intercepted a fourth-down pass.

The punt resulted in a TD by Gordon. The pick saw the Aztecs drive to the Braves’ goal line before taking a knee to kill the game’s remaining seconds.

“It was all about our (offensive) line tonight,” said Gordon. “They kept blocking and even pancaked some guys. All I had to do was run with the ball.”

Although the Montgomery trainer’s table was equally busy, the depth of the Aztecs proved too much for ECVHS (1-3 overall).

Montgomery (3-1 overall) has now captured three straight contests from Grossmont Valley League opponents, all by narrow margins.

Following the first-week loss to Coronado, they downed Santana, Mount Miguel, and now the Braves. All three teams figure to be closely-rated in the GVL standings this season.

Montgomery scored first on a 5-play, 32-yard drive following a short ECVHS punt, capped by a QB sneak.

The Braves countered with a 36-yard drive, capped on a 5-yard Yasir Blair pass to Paris Dixon. The short drive was set up when Blair, also a two-way performer, caused and recovered a Montgomery fumble.

Cervantes countered with a 50-yard sweep for a 14-6 lead with 33 seconds left until the intermission.

Arath Leyva had two sacks and nine total tackles. Flores added a sack and had seven total tackles.

Montgomery next will host Mission Bay on Friday (Sept. 16), ECVHS will open GVL play at El Capitan, also in a Thursday (Sept. 15) special.

FALLBROOK 37, SANTANA 12 – The Warriors’ resurgent season continued with a start-to-finish win over the Sultans.

Fallbrook scored on the game’s opening drive and took a 17-0 lead into the locker room.

The Warriors led 23-0 before the Sultans put up their first touchdown in the third quarter on a 95-yard kickoff return.

However, the ensuing kickoff was an onside attempt which was grabbed by a Fallbrook up-man and returned straight down the field for a counter-score.

Fallbrook led 37-6 when Santana scored again, this time in the fourth quarter on a 78-yard reception by junior Ramiro Carreno.

The Sultans hadn’t lost a season opener since 2016, never mind three straight.

This is their first 0-4 start since 2013 when they went 0-6 before defeating ECVHS 35-0 for their lone win in 2013.