Glendora got good balance offensively on Friday night and cruised to a 33-7 victory at West Covina.
Noah Acuna rushed for a game-high 120 yards and scored on runs of 3, 1 and 27 yards, respectively.
Braydon Brus, on his 17th birthday, scored a 1-yard TD run and then a 25-yard pick-six to give the Tartans a 27-0 lead.
Jake Denerson made a big step forward at quarterback from his varsity debut last week.
Denerson completed 9-of-19 for 135 yards.
His favorite target on Friday was GHS senior Matt Gonzales, who caught four passes for 71 yards.
Gonzales made a diving catch near the north end zone to set up the Tartans’ second score of the night.
Gonzales will have little rest, as tomorrow morning, he’ll be playing shortstop for Dan Henley’s baseball program against California in a doubleheader at home.
West Covina got on the board in the fourth quarter when captain Jason Chang took a Wyatt Oak pass 45 yards for a touchdown.
Mike Maggiore, a three-time CIF championship coach, returned this year after some time away, and while it’s going to be a work-in-progress, the Bulldogs will get better each week under his leadership.
West Covina blocked two extra-point attempts, Isaiah Rocha had a sack and Drew Hall picked off a GHS pass.
Up next: Glendora will travel to Colony and West Covina welcomes South Hills to their field.
Directly below, Matt Gonzales set up the Tartans’ second score with a diving catch:
Noah Acuna scores on a short TD run:
Braydon Brus picks off a WC pass and runs it back 25 yards for the score:
An interview with GHS running backs Noah Acuna and Braydon Brus:
An interview with Coach Mike Maggiore and Jason Chang:
An interview w/GHS coach, Brandon Rohrer:
An interview w/GHS quarterback Jake Denerson & senior receiver, Matt Gonzales:
Box Score:
GHS: 14-6-7-6-(33)
WC: 0-0-0-7-(7)
Scoring:
GHS: Noah Acuna 3 run (Jack Norell kick)
GHS: Noah Acuna 1 run (Jack Norell kick)
GHS: Braydon Brus 1 run (kick blocked)
GHS: Braydon Brus 25 interception return (kick blocked)
GHS: Noah Acuna 27 run (Jack Norell kick)
WC: Jason Chang 45 pass from Wyatt Oak (Saeed Arellano kick)
Records: Glendora (2-0); West Covina (0-2)
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