Photos by Gwen Pointer & RT Tolentino
Football:
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
For the fourth consecutive year, the West Covina football program proudly boasts the title of Kings of Cameron.
And since his return to the sidelines, Mike Maggiore is 4-0 against South Hills, including Saturday’s 21-10 victory at Covina District Field.
WCHS never trailed and persevered in a hard-hitting and spirited contest.
The 3-1 start is the program’s best since Maggiore’s 2011 team went 14-1 and won a third CIF-SS crown on his watch.
Ezra Ortega gave West Covina a 7-0 lead after his 6-yard TD run.
The Huskies would pull to within four points when Jonathan Barragan converted on a 24-yard field goal attempt.
Zander Requena’s 1-yard TD run extended the WCHS lead to 14-3.
South Hills would respond.
Two-spart star (baseball & football) Matt Moreno took a Caesar Lizaola pass 15 yards for a TD, and the Huskies trailed 14-10.
But it was Chris Perez who put the game on ice.
Perez bought himself some time with his feet, and he found Angel Murillo on a 15-yard TD pass, and that turned out to be the dagger.
If there were any doubts as to the outcome, Sebastian Martinez picked off two passes during the Huskies final three drives.
The game featured several personal fouls, a fight in the stands and an ambulance carting an injured Bulldogs player to the hospital.
Also on display, though, were two programs who love to beat each other’s ass, and yet share a mutual respect for the other.
Maggiore is a three-time championship coach who has the Bulldogs looking upward.
And impressively in his own right, a young Jacob Calderon, who is a talented, intelligent and dedicated leader, who, in time, will achieve big things at South Hills.
Up next: WCHS and SHHS have Friday night home games.
The Bruins host Valencia and the Huskies welcome El Monte to Covina District Field.
To view a photo gallery by Gwen Pointer, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook
To view a photo gallery by RT Tolentino, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook
Below the scoring plays are video interviews and some individual highlights.
Scoring:
WC: Ezra Ortega 6 run (Donovan Romero kick)
SH: Jonathan Barragan 24 FG
WC: Zander Requena run (Donovan Romero kick)
SH: Matt Moreno 15 pass from Ceasar Lizaola (Jonathan Barragan kick)
WC: Angel Murillo 15 pass from Chris Perez (Donovan Romero kick)
Records: West Covina (3-1); South Hills (1-3)
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