Photos by Gus Vargas, game info/stats by Zack Morton & Randy Reams, & video clips by Mark Sanchez
Football:
Although they no longer share a Palomares League rivalry for football, a Glendora-Ayala game rarely disappoints.
And Thursday night was no different.
The Tartans (Brandon Rohrer) and Bulldogs (AJ Gracia) are both led by young men who have not only enjoyed incredible success, they are two of the most respected coaches in the area.
There were also several subplots that made this contest interesting.
GHS was finally able to play Decker DeGraaf after sitting out six games due to the transfer protocol, and Eric Najarro got his first start at quarterback.
AHS entered Thursday’s matchup having lost their first game of 2022 last week to Citrus Valley (28-7), and they battled without three-year starting quarterback, Bryan Wilson.
Wilson was considered a game-time decision, so the Bulldogs junior could test his injured foot.
On top of all of that, it was Wilson’s first start since the worst statistical game of his remarkable career back in a week-four showdown against Chino Hills.
All three guys mentioned above were outstanding, but in the end, Ayala picked up an important 56-33 victory over the visiting Tartans.
He wasn’t 100-percent, but Wilson made his presence felt immediately.
In the first 30 seconds, Wilson had already thrown 68-and-35-yard TD passes to Dominic Alloway for a 14-0 lead.
In a challenging 2-4 season, fans on both sides probably wondered how the Tartans would respond to such an early deficit.
GHS would answer the Bulldogs with a 7-yard Kyle Ferm TD run, a safety, and a Najarro 1-yard run to take a 16-14 lead.
That would last all of 82 seconds, as Wilson connected with Drew Amico on a 55-yard TD pass, and Ayala was up again, 21-16.
After 37 combined points, there was still 3:17 to go in the first quarter.
Glendora got within 21-19 of AHS when Jack Norell booted a 25-yard field goal early in the second period.
Wilson threw his fourth TD of the first half, finding Lytallion Payne on a 19-yard strike.
And again, GHS answered back.
Najarro would toss a 12-yard TD pass to DeGraaf with 2:18 to go in the first half, and the Bulldogs’ lead shrunk to 28-26.
Ayala, however, would outscore Glendora, 28-7, the rest of the way, and secured a 23-point win.
The Bulldogs 56 points is the most a GHS defense has allowed so far, and it’s 19 more than Charter Oak scored in week two.
Wilson finished his night going 12-for-15, for 302 yards, those four TD’s and no picks.
AHS rushed for 302 yards on 18 carries, including four TD’s.
Marquis Monroe had a game-high 168 yards on 14 carries, and had TD runs of 4 and 16 yards.
Anthony Hernandez carried the ball nine times for 107 yards.
Alloway caught four passes for 143 yards and two scores.
Payne had five catches for 100 yards and one TD.
As far as the GHS offense, Najarro and Decker played huge.
Najarro completed 21-of-34 for 271 yards and two TD’s.
DeGraaf lived up to his billing, catching eight passes for 142 yards and two TD’s (12 & 8 yards) in his Glendora debut.
Robert Solis contributed seven catches for 58 yards.
Ferm led the Tartans ground game with 67 yards on 15 carries and one score.
Ferm also caught three passes for 27 yards.
Up next: GHS and AHS will both have next week off before opening league play on October 14th.
Ayala will host undefeated Charter Oak, and Glendora travels to Colony.
Box Score:
G: 16-10-0-7-(33)
A: 21-14-14-7-(56)
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Scoring:
A: Dominic Alloway 68 pass from Bryan Wilson (Nick Lane kick)
A: Dominic Alloway 35 pass from Bryan Wilson (Nick Lane kick)
G: Kyle Ferm 7 run (Jack Norell kick)
G: Safety
G: Eric Najarro 1 run (Jack Norell kick)
A: Drew Amico 55 pass from Bryan Wilson (Nick Lane kick)
G: Jack Norell 25 FG
A: Lytallion Payne 19 pass from Bryan Wilson (Nick Lane kick)
G: Decker DeGraaf 12 pass from Eric Najarro (Jack Norell kick)
A: Jacob Munoz 6 run (Nick Lane kick)
A: Marquis Monroe 4 run (Nick Lane kick)
A: Elijah Ybanez 1 run (Nick Lane kick)
G: Decker DeGraaf 8 pass from Eric Najarro (Jack Norell kick)
A: Marquis Monroe 16 run (Nick Lane kick)
Records: Glendora (2-5); Ayala (6-1)
Glendora’s Remaining Schedule:
10/7: Bye Week
10/14: Glendora at Colony **
10/21: Los Osos vs Glendora at Citrus College **
10/27: Glendora vs South Hills at Covina District Field **
** Citrus 4 League games
Ayala’s Remaining Schedule:
10/7: Bye Week
10/14: Charter Oak at Ayala **
10/21: Ayala at Alta Loma **
10/27: Ayala at Bonita **
** Mountain West League games
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