Photos by Nicolette Sarmiento & Alycia Gil / Photo/Graphics Editor
Story by Nicolette Sarmiento
Co-Photo/Graphics Editor
LA PUENTE – After four turnovers by junior quarterback Rio Ruiz, the Tesoro Titans upset the Bishop Amat Lancers, 31-21, at Kiefer Stadium on Friday.
The Lancers missed several opportunities to score, including one fumble at the goal line by Ruiz and an interception in the last two minutes of play in Tesoro territory.
Amat fell behind early in the first quarter, 14-0. Tesoro received the opening kickoff and marched down the field in about five minutes, scoring on a quarterback sneak by sophomore Matt Adam.
On the Lancers’ first possession, the Titans forced an Amat punt. However, the Lancers attempted a fake, but failed. The Titans took over at the Lancers’ 33-yard line.
A few minutes later, the Titans punched the ball into the end zone from the 8-yard line.
But the Lancers would come back to tie the game by halftime with touchdown passes from Ruiz to Adam Sanchez and to Sal Velasquez.
The Lancers received the ball to start the second half and marched 79 yards to the Titans’ 1-yard line. But Ruiz fumbled the snap and the Titans recovered at the two.
From then on, the momentum permanently shifted in the Titans’ favor. They marched 98 yards down the field in four minutes for yet another touchdown, giving them a 21-14 lead.
Junior running back Jalen Moore then brought the Lancers back with a 12-yard rush into the end zone, tying the score at 21.
The Lancers would not score for the rest of the game. Ruiz threw an interception as he scrambled and tossed the ball in Moore’s direction. The Titans took control at the Lancers’ 31-yard line and quickly took a 28-21 lead.
On the next possession, Ruiz committed his second fumble of the game with 5:23 left. Two minutes and 30 seconds later, the Titans hit a 40-yard field goal that nicked the bottom of the crossbar to make the score 31-21.
The Lancers threatened with a minute to go, but Ruiz threw yet another interception at the goal line. Tesoro ran it back to their 15-yard line. The Lancers got the ball with 15 seconds left, but Ruiz was sacked, ending the game.
Tesoro will play Mater Dei next week in Round 2 of the PAC-5 Playoffs.
Bishop Amat ends the season at 9-2.
