Thanks to Harry Joe for stats/game info, Tim Lunney for the photos & David Guerrero for video highlights
Football:
For those who cover Rio Hondo Prep football, especially a particular writer who has done so weekly over the past seven-plus years, the novelty of describing the Kares as “that little school in Arcadia” has lost its shine.
Don’t get this reporter wrong, they’re still a tiny school off Farna Avenue in Arcadia.
In fact, according to a Google search, RHP has an enrollment of 151 students between the seventh-and-12th grades.
On the flip side, the ability to articulate the Kares unmatched success on Friday nights over the past several years will never lose its allure.
And what could be a better way of showing respect than mentioning RHP as an elite SGV area program, as opposed to ending that statement with “for a small school?”
They achieve it the old fashion way by working their butts off.
Better yet, the Kares win and on rare occasions lose with class, while showing respect to each opponent.
That gets us to Friday night.
RHP traveled to Simi Valley to open Gold Coast League competition at Viewpoint in a battle of 7-0 programs.
The Patriots had outscored its first seven opponents by a combined margin of 263-77.
Moreover, in weeks 0-7, no VHS opponent had scored more than 22 points.
But in came Rio Hondo Prep.
The Kares scored the first 34 points, and they cruised to a 41-10 victory to improve to 8-0.
The two-time defending CIF-SS champs remain the lone SGV program without a loss.
RHP had statistical advantages in first downs (16-12), rushing (241-8), total offense (339-180) and interceptions (2-1).
The Kares maintained that four-score lead throughout in spite of being penalized 15 times for 128 yards, and while turning the ball over three times (two fumbles & one interception).
The Patriots were flagged just three times for 22 yards.
Noah Penunuri had a game-high 79 yards on six carries, and that included TD runs of 23 and 8 yards.
Nathaniel Shine had a pair of TD runs himself.
Shine scored on 28-and-6-yard sprints, and he finished with 61 yards on just four carries.
Christian Lee (3-for-31), Matt Montez (2-for-21), Deven Gomez (6-for-21), Yanick Diaz (4-for-16) and Blaize Torrez (1-for-12) combined to gain 101 yards on 16 carries.
Montez scored on a 14-yard TD run with 9:26 in the fourth quarter to extend the RHP lead to 45-7.
Diaz completed 3-of-11 for 58 yards and one pick.
Calogero Chico caught a 40-yard pass from Elias Har.
Rain Pollock reeled in a 36-yard pass and Nicolas Harrington had two receptions for 22 yards.
The Rio Hondo Prep defense featured 29 players with at least one tackle.
With 2:31 to play in the first quarter, Troy Seto broke up a Magnus Merriman pass that Calogero Chico turned into a 75-yard pick-six.
Christian Lee had a game-high seven tackles.
Nicolas Harrington (5 tackles), Aiden Delgadillo (4), Rainn Pollock (4), Blaize Torrez (4) and Seto (4) combined to total 21 tackles.
Shine had three tackles and two sacks.
Brayden Vinton sacked Merriman, and Landon Scott tallied a pair of tackles and one interception.
Up next: The Kares will battle Brentwood next Saturday at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood.
The kickoff is set for 4:30.
RHP would secure a second consecutive Gold Coast League championship with a win.
To view a photo gallery by Tim Lunney, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook
Box Score:
R: 21-13-7-0-(41)
V: 0-7-0-3-(10)
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Scoring:
R: Noah Penunuri 23 run (Easton Jara kick)
R: Nathaniel Shine 28 run (Easton Jara kick)
R: Calogero Chico 75 interception return (Easton Jara kick)
R: Noah Penunuri 8 run (kick failed)
R: Nathaniel Shine 6 run (Easton Jara kick)
V: Shane Anderson 40 pass Magnus Merriman (Ryan Slavett kick)
R: Matt Montez 14 run (Easton Jara kick)
V: Ryan Slavett 27 FG
Records: RHP (8-0, 1-0); Viewpoint (7-1, 0-1)
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