South Gate “Rams” 41 University “Wildcats” 28
Recap: South Gate’s Head Coach, Jose Casagran will be the first to tell you that he believes in the age-old addage of“practice makes perfect,” but only to the degree of possibly“near-perfect.” The Rams are continuing to trend very strongly in their quest to return to the City’s Division II Championship game on December 6th. But, he’ll also be the first to tell everyone that his team is still not where he wants it to be. The Rams are still very much, a work in progress, but a mighty fine one at that, from our perspective. Here are Coach Casagran’s quarterfinal post-game remarks. “The game against University was tough, just as I thought it would be. Coach Lowe does a good job preparing his team and I knew beating them twice in the season was not going to be an easy chore. They were big, athletic, fast and they played hard. But our team showed a lot of character and a lot of heart. We battled them hard the entire game and came away with a tough, but well-earned victory.” When asked about their next opponennt, the #1 seeded Yankees of Hamilton High, Coach responded with “they look very good and solid on film. They should be one of the better, if not the best teams we’ll play this season, so I know they’re going to be a big challenge. But we’re looking forward to it, since nothing this season has come easy, just as it is in life.” The difference in this huge win was the “ground and pound” game that the Rams execute so well, due to the many talented running backs led by their All-City player, SR/Lavell Thompson. The running back trio of Thompson, Washington, and Shaw III, combined for a staggering 321 rushing yds. in the game. With that, the victory was secured although the final score did not reflect the closeness of the game. Surpisingly, the Rams trailed at half by a 21-14 score. It see-sawed back and forth through the end of the 3rd quarter when it was tied at 28-28. But the Rams went into overdrive in the last period as they put up two more rushing TDs, stretching the lead to its final count at 41-28. Providing“Big Game” performances on the neutral field at Venice High, and selected as our Offensive Co-Players of the Game were: RB/Lavell Thompson/13 car-83 yds/2 rushing TDs/6 yds & 11 yds; RB/James Shaw III/4 car-83 yds/2 rushing TDs/61 yds & 15 yds; WR/Antonio Washington/4 rushes-153 yds/1 TD rushng/47 yds; QB/Andrew Toro/8 compl-25 attmpts/125 yds/1 rushing TD/1 passing TD; and PK/Hector Carranza/6-7 PATS/6 points. On Defense: By committee, we selected Jonathan Estrada, Francisco Gallegos, Antonio Olivares, Cesar Bobadilla, Geo Toro, and Wendell Findley. Wishing the Rams “All the Best” in another crucial match-up as they keep their “Eyes on the Prize!” Next: Semifinal Game/#1 Hamilton (Western League Champions) @ Hamilton, 11/28/14 at 7 pm. JC/SGHS-RC, Sr./East LA Sports Scene.Com
