Whittier Christian rallies past Arroyo, 27-24
EL MONTE Whittier Christian turned the ball over the first two times it touched the ball on offense and then saw starting quarterback Stephen Anderson get knocked out of the game early in the second quarter. A dominating defensive performance keyed a huge comeback and the Heralds defeated Arroyo, 27-24, in a first round CIF-SS game on Friday night at Arroyo High.
The Heralds (8-3) fell behind 14-0 just 3:30 into the game as they fumbled the first two times they touched the ball and the Knights (8-3) scored short touchdowns following each fumble. The Arroyo lead grew to 24-6 early in the second quarter, but that would be all that the Heralds defense would allow the rest of the game.
Heralds linebacker Tim Sanchez seemed to be in the middle of every big play as he recovered two fumbles and blocked a punt late in the first half that led to a Grant Escobar 13-yard touchdown catch from backup quarterback Daniel Chacon with ten seconds remaining in the half.
The defense came up big again in the third quarter as the Knights were backed up at their own 1-yard line and the Heralds forced a punt to set up the offense at the Arroyo 38-yard line. The Heralds quickly moved down the field and Garrett Fulbright provided the winning score on a 2-yard touchdown run.
