MVHS’s varsity football team put on a show Friday night, in a strong 38-0 victory against the Homestead Mustangs.
Before the game, the MVHS PTSA handed out pom-poms to the crowd to honor senior running back Dillon Daniels’s mother, Lucinda Daniels, who passed away on Aug. 31. MVHS’s cheerleadering team set up a memorial for Lucinda in the stands, and a moment of silence was held.
The Spartans’ defense started strong in the first quarter, forcing a Mustang punt. The next possession, MVHS pieced together a long drive, capped off by a rushing touchdown by junior running back Diego Ortega-Gerow, making the score 7-0 with the extra point.
The Spartans continued their strong start as the defense stopped a fourth down conversion by the Mustangs and senior running back Arturo Hernandez scored a long 66 yard touchdown, bringing the score to 14-0.
Towards the end of the first quarter, a pass by Homestead quarterback Carson Chang was intercepted by MVHS junior Viliami Sekona.
On the ensuing drive, Hernandez scored another rushing touchdown, ending the first quarter with a solid 21-0 MVHS lead.
“There were a few things where we didn’t block right but [Hernandez] is such a great runner, he’ll get outside and go do things,” head coach Tim Lugo said.
Neither team scored in the second quarter – aside from a field goal by Sekona – closing out the first half at 24-0.
During halftime, MVHS’s cheerleaders performed a routine featuring the Spartan Junior cheerleaders, including children four to 13 years old.
In the second half, with the Spartans’ offense failing on a fourth down conversion, it seemed as though the momentum could turn in Homestead’s favor.
However, following the turnover, Sekona intercepted another pass by the Mustangs’ quarterback, setting up another rushing touchdown for Hernandez which increased the Spartans’ lead to 31-0.
Homestead fumbled both the ball and their chance to score on the next drive, leading the Spartans to score their final points of the game: a rushing touchdown by Ortega-Gerow, ending the game with a final score of 38-0 and 249 total team rushing yards.
Lugo said one of the primary goals coming into the game was to gain more cohesion on the offensive line.
“The goal was to come in and run the ball, try to get better, and I think we did [that] a little bit today,” Lugo said.
Senior linebacker Alex Bocchieri said that he thought the energy of the crowd was notably strong, with a sea of pom-pom-waving MVHS fans in attendance to show support for the Daniels family.
“It really meant a lot to the team to show support for us, especially when our teammate is having a hard time,” Bocchieri said. “It really gives life to the team.”
Lugo said that with no game next Friday and the start of the league season coming up the following week, he hopes that his team can build off of two straight victories.
“The team has got a lot of confidence right now,” Lugo said. “And we’ll see where it takes us.”
