South Gate High School’s potent one-two running back punch will be the next team to attempt to hand Eagle Rock its first loss.
The sixth-seeded Rams (6-5) visit No. 3 Eagle Rock (11-0) at 7 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals of the City Section Division II football playoffs.
Junior Lavell Thompson, the City’s third-leading rusher, and senior Alexander Flatos lead the way for South Gate, a 62-22 winner over Lincoln in the first round.
Thompson has rushed for 1,893 yards and 28 touchdowns (he has 29 total) and Flatos has 1,108 yards and 11 TDs on 91 carries. Flatos has another 231 yards and four TDs on six receptions.
Against Lincoln, Thompson ran for 215 yards and two scores and Flatos had 130 yards and two TDs on the ground and two receptions for TDs.
Although the ball wasn’t put in the air a lot, Andrew Toro did net 161 yards and a pair of TDs.
Eagle Rock, the Northern League champion, advanced with a 31-27 win over Hamilton.
Bell at San Fernando
Bell (5-6) has a tall task facing it when it visits No. 1 San Fernando (11-0) in a Division II quarterfinal.
Leading a Tiger team that is averaging 49.6 points per game and rolled up 776 yards of total offense in a 77-44 victory over Verdugo Hills to open the playoffs is senior quarterback Cristian Solano.
All Solano did in that game was pass for 373 yards and six TDs and run for 175 yards and three scores.
For the season, the City’s leading passer has completed 165 of 236 passes for 3,394 yards and 42 TDs with just five interceptions and rushed for 1,052 yards and 16 TDs.
Receivers Charles Bell (34 for 949 yards, 15 TDs) and Jose Camargo (67 for 1,227 yards, 10 TDs) have been the main beneficiaries of Solano’s throws.
Bell opened the playffs with a 35-6 win over Washington Prep.
Junior quarterback Redani Diaz, who has thrown for 1,775 yards and 21 TDs with just seven interceptions, is the leader for the Eagles.
Senior Andrew Alderete has caught 43 passes for 577 yards and nine TDs.
Julian Vazquez leads the defense with 94 tackles and 10.0 sacks.
Division III
Torres at Wilson
Central League runner-up Torres (7-3) heads to No. 4 Wilson (8-3) Friday for a Division III quarterfinal contest.
The fifth-seeded Toros opened the playoffs with a 55-14 win over Marquez.
Senior quarterback David Frontanez and junior running back Jose Munive lead the way. Frontanez is completing 57.4 percent of his passes for 1,307 yards and 14 TDs. Munive has rushed for 1,034 yards and seven TDs.
Wilson (8-3) advanced with a 17-7 victory over Hawkins.
Senior quarterback Chris Perez has passed for 1,994 yards and 20 TDs for the Mules. Jerry Hernandez (51 catches for 613 yards, seven TDs) has been his favorite receiver.
Junior defensive back Joey Pena leads the City with eight interceptions.
City Section Quarterfinals
Friday, 7 p.m.
Division I
Birmingham at Narbonne
Garfield at Carson
Dorsey at Crenshaw
San Pedro at Venice
Divison II
Bell at San Fernando
Chatsworth at Sylmar
Grant at Granada Hills
South Gate at Eagle Rock
Division III
Douglass at View Park Prep
Torres at Wilson
Santee at Poly
Rancho Dominguez Prep at Bernstein
8-Man Championship
Saturday at Contreras LC
Fulton vs. SOCES
