Tri-City Champions Defeated After Tenacious Homecoming Game Against Schurr Spartans
During the 2014 AHS Homecoming game against the Schurr Spartans, senior running back Fernando Guerrero attempts to surpass the herd of persisting opponents.
MOOR Photo by SHANNON KHA
BRIANA THAI
WESLEY TSAI
Staff Writers
On the dark and gloomy night of Halloween, fog moved in and rain began to drop as the Moors started their annual Homecoming game with their usual chant. As the rain began pouring more and more, the crowd grew with excitement as the game against the Schurr Spartans prepared to kick off.
In the beginning of the first quarter, the Spartans kicked the ball and the Moors started off the game at the 35-yard line. Hoping to take advantage of the run, junior running back Joey Santana initiated the first play by running seven yards. With an electric passion displayed by the crowd, the Moors clinched tight and the score remained 0-0. The second quarter started, and the Moors strengthened their defense and pushed the Spartan’s first possession to be turned over. As the Moors turned the ball over, they punted the ball to the Spartans’ and the Spartan’s offense overwhelmed the Moors as they ran into the endzone. After countless turnovers from both sides of the field, the Moors intercepted the pass and returned the ball back to the team giving them their first down.
The game escalated rapidly during the third and fourth quarters. As Schurr received the ball, the Spartans made another touchdown making the score 0-14. The Moors then fumbled the ball and Spartans took a big chance in yard gainage. This did not stop the Moors but rather inspired them to play harder when the band began to play and the audience began to cheer for them. Going back and forth during the second half of the game, the Spartans received the ball again after the Moors’ fourth down and gained another touchdown, making the score 0-21. As the bleachers began to do the Moor clap, the Moors pushed for safety but failed at fourth down and returned the ball back to Spartans. Towards the middle of the fourth quarter, the Spartans quickly ran their plays and scored two touchdowns, finalizing the score at 0-34.
The Moors suffered two ankle sprain injuries from Simon Poon and James Giambalvo, but they will both be playing their last game, also known as Senior Night.
“Senior night is a very important game because its the last opportunity I would ever have to play [high school] football. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I have been recommended by doctors not to play. Despite my injury, I know that the only right thing to do is to persist through the pain and finish off my high school football career knowing I gave it my all with no regrets,” Poon said.
Despite suffering a tough defeat, Alhambra is still considered to be the Tri City champions and the seniors continue to practice with effort as their last game will be against the Montebello Oilers.
“It’s a tough loss, especially [for] our Homecoming [game]. We didn’t execute the way we should, but now it is all about beating Montebello. We have to fix the little mistakes [that occur during the games]. For seniors, there is only one game left. We want to make playoffs as bad as any other team in this league, we have to remain positive for the rest of the season. I want to contribute everything I have for the team and leave no regrets,” senior offensive cornerback Alan Cheng said.