PLACENTIA – Robert Arroyo rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns, and quarterback Jack Strouse passed for three scores as El Dorado defeated Esperanza, 56-23, Friday in a North Hills League game at Valencia High.
The game started well for the Golden Hawks (3-7, 1-2), as Arroyo broke through the Aztecs’ defense for a 16-yard touchdown run, and Austin Shear intercepted a pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown.
The Golden Hawks had control of the game from that point.
Strouse passed for 222 yards, with 110 of them going to receiver Connor Leech.
Quarterback Treyden Buzzone finished with 152 passing yards, completing 12 of 25 attempts, for the Aztecs (1-9, 0-3).
His longest completed pass of the game was a 30-yarder to receiver Nicholas Lycett, who finished with 85 yards gained.
Probably the best play of the night was a 37-yard touchdown pass by Strouse. He handed it off to Arroyo, he lobbed a lateral back to Strouse, who then threw it to Leech for a touchdown.
The Golden Hawks did not earn automatic entry to the playoffs, but Coach Zack Lamonda said the team hopes it can receive an at-large berth when the pairings come out Sunday.
“It feels good to win, and it’s great to have some victories this season for the seniors,” said Lamonda. “There’s a slim chance that we could still make the playoffs. If given the opportunity, we could have a chance to do something fun.”
