Imperial Tigers Take Down Central, 34–10
By Ron Rubio | Valley Sports Network
Simpson-Shimamoto Stadium was the site for the IVL showdown between the Central Spartans and the host Imperial Tigers, and the Tigers made a huge statement by downing the Spartans, 34–10.
It was a packed house, and Anthony Hellum got the party started for Imperial by taking the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, and Imperial never looked back.
Led by junior QB Santonio Urena, who threw three touchdown passes of 1, 9 and 5 yards, plus rushed for one TD of 3 yards, Deren Hueso was the leading rusher for Imperial as their balanced attack on offense produced two touchdown-scoring drives in the last six minutes of the second quarter.
The first drive of 89 yards was capped off with a 1-yard TD pass to Danny Alcala, and the second drive was 55 yards, finished off by a 3-yard run by Urena to give the Tigers a 21–3 lead at halftime. The Tigers’ defense flew all over the field and shut down Central’s offense.
The third-quarter scoring for Imperial was a 9-yard TD pass to Anthony Hellum, set up by an interception by Leo Morales, who had a 50-yard interception return to the Spartans’ 9-yard line, making it a 27–3 lead.
Urena connected with Ryan Adams for a 5-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter to go up 34–3.
Central added a 48-yard TD pass from Alec Hernandez to Junior Camarena, along with Malaki Rodriguez’s 20-yard field goal, to make the final score 34–10.
With the win, the Tigers are now 5–1 overall and 1–0 in league, with a four-game winning streak as they travel next week to Calexico.
Central has its five-game winning streak snapped and is now 5–2 overall and 1–0 in league as they head into next week’s showdown versus the Holtville Vikings.
Ron Rubio | Valley Sports Network
