Varsity Football Team Claims Victory Over Rivals at Homecoming Game

NATE GARCIA
Sports Editor
SIMEON LAM
Staff Writer

As the crowd cheered vivaciously, the Alhambra varsity football team stormed the field after winning their first game of the season against their cross-town rival, the Mark Keppel Aztecs, on Homecoming night.

“We have improved in all phases of the game and continue to get better each week,” Head Coach Eric Bergstrom said.

The game began with the Aztecs receiving the kickoff. However, the Moors defense came out strong, forcing a punt immediately. With their first possession of the game, Quarterback Nick Giambalvo threw his first of five touchdowns in the game to wide receiver James Giambalvo. The following possession, the Aztecs came right back with a touchdown of their own. A missed two-point conversion gave the Moors a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Moors defense shined as they forced three punts and a turnover by the Aztecs. In addition to their defense, the Moors also scored an additional two touchdowns to end the first half. Nick Giambalvo’s second and third touchdown passes were thrown to wide receiver Jacob Holguin. With a comfortable 21-6 lead, the Moors headed into halftime.

The game escalated quickly in the third quarter with the Aztecs recovering an on-side kick. However, the Moors struck back right away, coming up with an interception the next play. With an opportunity to score, Nick Giambalvo led the Moors down the field before passing for his fourth touchdown of the game, this time to tight end Joshua Davila. The Aztecs then punted once again, giving the Moors the ball. However, the Aztecs returned an interception for a touchdown soon after. The score was still in favor of the Moors with a score of 28-12. After the kickoff, Nick Giambalvo drove down to field to throw his fifth and final touchdown of the game to wide receiver Arwendo Tendean. This touchdown almost put the game out of reach with the Moors leading 35-12 heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, both teams competed back and forth. The Aztecs scored a touchdown midway through the quarter, cutting the deficit to 15 points. However, it was too late in the game as the Moors slowly ran out the clock, ending the game at 35-20. The Moors, maintaining a record of 1-6, were thrilled to get their first win of the season.

“In our previous games, the majority of our team was pretty upset about losing. However, [our] coach encouraged us to do better next time, and we did. After winning our first game, we were all loud and ecstatic. It was a wonderful feeling,” junior wide receiver Simon Poon said.