Esperanza Takes Control in the Fourth Quarter

Esperanza rallied with two touchdowns in the final quarter to propel the Aztecs to a 23-14 victory over host Compton Dominguez Friday night.

With the victory, the Aztecs advance to the semifinals against Pasadena Muir next week.

Both teams engaged in a defensive struggle in the first half. A Yancy Knox field goal from 42 yards in the second quarter for Esperanza was the only score.

Esperanza opened the second half with a 79-yard drive, only to fumble on the one. Dominguez, held to 88 yards in the first half, drove 99 yards to take the lead. Sean Williams hit Tyrone Miles with a 68-yard screen pass for the touchdown.

The Aztecs bounced right back. Jason Geottsche returned the kickoff 55 yards to the Don 40. On the first play, John Aed hit Bill Ross with a 40-yard touchdown pass to give the Aztecs a 10-7 lead.

Dominguez (9-3) regained the lead on an 80-yard drive with Robert Jenkins scoring from the 10 with 1 minute 13 seconds left in the third quarter. Adan Vasquez’s conversion made the lead 14-10.

Esperanza took the lead for good when Brian Werner caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Aed with 9:27 left in the contest. The extra point failed, giving the Aztecs a 16-14 advantage.

Aed, who was successful on a similar play for 17 yards earlier, gave the Aztecs (11-1) a comfortable lead with a 59-yard touchdown run. The Esperanza quarterback faked two handoffs and turned around to an open path up the middle, covering the distance untouched.

Esperanza had a pair of interceptions in the final three minutes to preserve the victory.

E--FG Knox 42

D--Miles 68 pass from Williams (Vasquez kick)

E--Ross 40 pass from Aed (Knox kick)

D--Jenkins 10 run (Vasquez kick)

E--Werner 4 pass from Aed (kick failed)

E--Aed 59 run (Knox kick)

LEADING RUSHERS--E: Aed 6-96, Footman 17-94; CD: Jenkins 18-80. LEADING PASSERS--E: Aed 10-14-0, 118; CD: Williams 9-17-2, 1128. LEADING RECEIVERS--E: Wise 7-70; CD: Miles 5-84.

Attendance--2,100.