Schurr Earns First Win of Season, Holds Off Garfield 21–12 on Warm Montebello Night
MONTEBELLO, Calif. — On a warm and muggy Friday night high atop the hill at Schurr High School, the Spartans picked up their first victory of the season with a 21–12 win over previously unbeaten Garfield.
With temperatures still hovering around 84 degrees during the evening and the humidity making it feel even warmer, it was a packed house for the nonleague matchup. The setting provided a picturesque backdrop overlooking the surrounding area, but down on the field, both teams had to battle through the lingering late-summer heat.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Schurr’s defense provided the game’s first major break. With about 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter, junior Nate Tellez intercepted a Garfield pass, giving the Spartans possession at the Bulldogs’ 20-yard line.
Schurr capitalized a few minutes later when sophomore quarterback Jacob Torres scored on a 17-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point gave the Spartans a 7–0 advantage.
Garfield answered just before halftime behind senior running back Ceasar Reyes, who scored from six yards out with approximately 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Bulldogs missed the ensuing extra point, sending Schurr into halftime with a slim 7–6 lead.
The Spartans extended their advantage early in the third quarter with a 3-yard rushing touchdown and successful PAT, making it 14–6. But Garfield refused to go away.
Reyes found the end zone for the second time, this time on an 11-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. Garfield attempted a two-point conversion that would have tied the game, but the pass attempt failed, leaving Schurr ahead 14–12.
That failed conversion proved significant as the game moved into the fourth quarter.
With approximately eight minutes remaining, junior Jesse Sandoval powered in from one yard out for Schurr’s third rushing touchdown of the evening. The extra point was good, extending the Spartans’ advantage to 21–12 and giving their defense some much-needed breathing room.
Schurr kept Garfield off the scoreboard the rest of the way to secure the victory.
The win marked a welcome turnaround for a Spartans team that entered Friday night 0–3, while Garfield came in unbeaten at 2–0. Schurr improves to 1–3, handing the Bulldogs their first loss of the season and dropping Garfield to 2–1.
Schurr will next travel to Bonita to take on the Bearcats next Friday, while Garfield returns home to host Huntington Park in its league opener. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
