FOOTBALL : South Gate Comes Up Short Against Banning

This was supposed to be a bye week for South Gate, but the Rams took the field against City Section powerhouse Banning and lost a nonconference game, 21-7, at Banning High.

“I wanted to see what we had,” South Gate Coach Gary Cordray said. “I think we showed a lot of people we could play against anybody. It was a good ballgame.”

Trailing, 14-7, South Gate had a chance to tie the score late in the fourth quarter, but Pilots cornerback Kareem O’Neal intercepted a pass from quarterback Juan Vasquez, stopping a Rams drive on the Pilots’ 28-yard line. Banning drove 72 yards to increase the lead to 21-7 on a one-yard sneak by Ira McKenna.

“I feel the interception took the momentum away from us and that cost us the ballgame,” Cordray said.

Vasquez had eight completions in 15 attempts for 99 yards and one interception. Linebacker Anthony Limon had two sacks for South Gate.

Rams junior tackle Marcus Almanza left the game in the fourth quarter with torn ligaments in his left knee, which might end his season.

Besides his game-saving steal, O’Neal caught three passes for 62 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown reception. Banning quarterback Ira McKenna threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.

Javier Llamas scored South Gate’s only touchdown on an eight-yard reverse to complete a 70-yard drive and tie the score, 7-7 in the third quarter.

Next week: Huntington Park at South Gate.