Nogales Couldn't Capitalize on Chance to Win League, Falls to Sierra Vista 26-20

BALDWIN PARK – What a difference a week makes. A week ago Friday, the Nogales High School football team needed to win their game against Duarte to at least force a three-way tie for the Montview League title. Nogales did just that, coming from behind, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half to complete the seemingly difficult task.

Fast forward to Friday, and Nogales found itself in a must-win situation against a hungry and hot Sierra Vista team whose victory over Azusa to temporarily gave Nogales the inside track to the Montview League title. However, it was not to be, as Nogales failed to seal the deal and with the 26-20 defeat found itself out of the playoff picture.

Nogales received the opening kickoff, but couldn’t get anything going and had to punt to Sierra Vista, who promptly marched down the field, culminating on Jonathon Gaona’s scoring run, a one-yard scamper up the middle. Nogales then was pinned deep in its own territory giving up a safety and trailed 9-0 before they knew what happened.

Just as they did last week, Nogales scored right before the half to cut the Dons’ lead to 16-7 when Matthew Olguin found Larenzo Williams for a 26-yard scoring pass.

Olguin finished 14 of 23 for 196 yards and two touchdowns, and Andrew Carrazco added 74 yards on 11 carries and a big interception which gave Nogales one last chance to try to win the game.

Nogales opened the fourth quarter with a bang, as James Gray took the first play from scrimmage 54 yards to close the gap to 19-14. Sierra Vista then responded with a touchdown when Dons’ quarterback RJ Pimentel found Alex Armenta for his second scoring pass to retake the lead 26-14.

Olguin then found Carrazco on an 80-yard pass to close the game 26-20 and Carrazco intercepted a pass deep in Nogales’ territory to give the Nobles a chance to win the game. Nogales, however could not convert and the Dons escaped with the 26-20 victory.

Pimentel led the way for the Dons (7-3, 3-2 Montview) finding Armenta twice for scoring passes and finishing 18 of 25 for 266 yards and the two touchdowns to Armenta. Gaonoa added 94 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown.

The Loss dropped Nogales to fourth place, having lost to both Azusa and Sierra Vista and out of playoff consideration. Nogales ends its season at 8-2, 3-2 Montview.

Photo courtesy of George Calderon