Photos by Josh Diaz
Football:
West Covina is now just one win away from a potential CIF-SS Division 10 championship.
The Bulldogs made the 100-mile drive to Palm Desert and returned home with a 19-3 victory over Xavier Prep.
The WCHS defense held the Saints to a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter, and that would be it for the Xavier Prep offense.
West Covina took its first lead of the game in the second quarter.
After a 30-yard gain by Zander Requena, and 8-and-6-yard runs from Ethan Mendez, Requena would score on a 1-yard run.
The Bulldogs led 6-3 because of a missed extra-point attempt.
Requena gave WCHS some breathing room after a 4-yard TD run in the third quarter.
Along with heavy rain, the Bulldogs offensive line took over in the second half.
Xavier Prep only had 27 offensive plays all night.
In the third quarter, Isaiah Ruiz forced a fumble that was recovered by Jake Godinez.
A Bulldogs drive would stall, and they punted it to the to the Saints 10-yard line.
Sebastian Martinez made a big play with a third-down pass breakup, and they forced Xavier Prep to punt.
WCHS took over at the XP 30.
Ezra Ortega put the game on ice with his 4-yard TD run.
As mentioned, the Bulldogs defense was dominant throughout.
They held the Saints to 106 yards of total offense, including just 33 yards rushing.
Josiah Joseph and Felipe Hernandez were dominant in the middle, and Isaiah Ruiz led WCHS again with 11 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Zander Requena had 25 carries for 125 yards against a solid Xavier Prep defense.
Ethan Mendez added 58 yards rushing on 13 attempts.
The offensive line, which consists of Dominic Sanchez (center), Tyler Tuntland & Owen Reid (guards), and tackles Erik Ramos and Anthony Contreras, is credited by West Covina coach Mike Maggiore with wearing down the Saints defense and the game clock.
It was also a nice 15th birthday for Owen Reid.
As far as their defense goes, WCHS has now held nine of its 13 opponents to 10 points or less, including a pair of shutouts.
Up next: The Bulldogs host Torrance next Saturday for the D-10 championship.
The Tartars (9-4) edged Hemet, 10-7, in their semifinal-round contest on Friday.
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Box Score:
WC: 0-6-7-6-(19)
XP: 3-0-0-0-(3)
Records: West Covina (11-2); Xavier Prep (8-5)
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