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Sergio MacEdo (Garfield) 23 carries for 136 yards, TD in 14-7 loss to San Pedro




Garfield gains respect in defeat

By RON GUILD, Sports Editor 27.SEP.07

Garfield High School football coach Lorenzo Hernandez acknowledged beforehand that more was at stake than just a victory in the final tuneup prior to the start of Eastern League play.

The Bulldogs fell short in the quest for victory, but may have achieved something of more value — namely respect — for their program in a 14-7 nonleague loss at San Pedro last Friday.

San Pedro, now 3-0 and runnerup in the City Section Championship Division playoffs a year ago, is a perennial-division power that plays in the highly-regarded Marine League.

But Garfield’s performance was a statement of sorts, according to Hernandez.

“I know we got their respect and let them know the Eastern League plays some good football, too,” he said. “They always say at the (playoff) seeding meetings we don’t play anybody. Well, we do now.”

Garfield, which takes a 3-1 record into Friday’s league opener at South East (3-1), actually controlled the tempo for significant portions of the game.

Most impressive was a 12-play (all runs), 72-yard drive in the third quarter that resulted in the Bulldogs’ only TD, a two-yard run by tailback Sergio MacEdo (23 carries for 136 yards) at the 6:23 mark. Franky Diaz (10 carries for 50 yards) had the longest play, a 22-yard run. They converted four first downs, including a fourth-and-one at their own 38.

Why take that sort of chance when you’re only down 7-0?

“I did it because we weren’t supposed to be here and I’m trying to get to the next level,” Hernandez said. “I believe we now have reached that level. These kids know it.”

In the fourth quarter with the score tied, 7-7, they went on another drive, going from their own 20 to the San Pedro 16. MacEdo broke off runs of 24 and 21 yards, the latter giving the Bulldogs a first down at the 23. But this time, they couldn’t convert the fourth down and the Pirates took over with 5:00 remaining.

“I think we’re cursed because we were this far from a first down,” said Hernandez, holding his index finger and thumb about an inch apart.

The Pirates then went on an eight-play, 83-yard drive that ended with Barry Heads throwing a 35-yard TD pass to Ahmad Wood on third-and-15 with 55 seconds left.

That final play was one of only two breakdowns that ultimately cost Garfied the win. The other was late in the first half when Corey Walsh blocked a punt and San Pedro recovered at the four. Tailback Marceliz Brooks scored on the next play with 2:50 left.

Probably the most impressive player Friday night was Garfield linebacker David Lopez, who was all over the field disrupting San Pedro’s offense. He had several tackles for losses and pressured Heads into a number of bad passes.

Hernandez is happy his team rose to the occasion, but wants to see it continue.

“I already knew the guys would play to the level of the competition,” he said. “I hope they keep the same caliber of play up.”