ANAHEIM – It was a reversal of fortunes for the Magnolia and Artesia of Lakewood in their nonleague game Friday night. After being shut out in its opener last week, Artesia rebounded by shutting down the Sentinels, 30-0, at Western High.
Jordan Benoit led the Pioneers, rushing for 105 yards and scoring three touchdowns. He also interecpted a pass to set up one score as Artesia (1-1) totaled 174 yards of offense and forced four turnovers.
Magnolia (1-1) had shut down its first opponent of the season last week, but it was the Sentinels (1-1) who were unable to put points on the board Friday. The Sentinels offense ran up 244 yards despite turnovers and numerous penalties.
Benoit scored Artesia’s first points of the season after he and quarterback Calvin Stitt fumbled an exchange, but Benoit benefitted from a friendly bounce and regained the ball and raced 41 yards for a touchdown.
The six-point lead held up until the final play of the first half. Magnolia quarterback Raymond Perez had his pass picked off by Taylor Davis, who raced 60 yards to the end zone to give the Pioneers a 13-0 advantage at halftime.
Following a 44-yard field goal by Frankie Sierra on the first play of the fourth quarter, Artesia took advantage after coming up with its second interecption. Benoit returned the interception 25 yards to midfield before adding his second touchdown on a 49-yard run with just under nine minutes remaining in the game.
A roughing-the-kicker penalty, accompanied by a personal-foul call against the Sentinels, sustained the drive for the Pioneers. Benoit finished with a 12-yard scoring run with 1:07 left.
Magnolia back Kalolo Pangiua rushed for 174 yards on 18 carries and Nicholas Garcia was involved in seven tackles and collected the night’s only sack.
