Garfield, South Gate to Battle For Eastern League Top Spot

By Mario Villegas, Exclusive to EGP

The Eastern League football title most likely will be determined Friday night when Garfield High School visits South Gate in a battle of the league’s unbeaten.

Since losing its first two games of the season, Garfield (5-2 overall) has won five straight, including a tough 28-21 victory over South East last Friday to improve to 3-0 in league.

South Gate (6-1) has rolled to six consecutive wins after having to forfeit its season opener to Westchester. The Rams, who overwhelmed Roosevelt, 42-19 last week, have outscored their opponents 320-71. They also have league wins against Jordan, 49-0 and Huntington Park, 49-3.

“Coach (Jose) Casagran has done a great job at South Gate and he’s great when it comes to the Xs and Os,” Garfield Coach Lorenzo Hernandez said. “He’s a well-seasoned coach all the way around.”

Garfield defeated South Gate, 57-33 en route to winning the league for the second consecutive year. Garfield went on to advance to the City Section Division I playoff quarterfinals. South Gate played in the Division II brackets and won three games before losing a heart-breaker to San Fernando, 34-32 in the finals.

Hernandez said the Rams’ success this season should come as no surprise.

Garfield High School quarterback Stevie Williams prepares to hand off in last Friday’s game against South East. Garfield won to remain unbeaten in the Eastern League. (Photo by Mario Villegas)

“We were picked to win the league and I don’t know why, because they made the finals – losing only because of an unfortunate mishap near the goal line – and have a lot of returning players.” Hernandez said. “They should have been picked to win league.”

Albert Molina’s two-yard touchdown run gave Garfield a 28-21 victory over South East last Friday at Garfield. The Bulldogs answered with a 48-yard scoring drive after South East (4-4, 2-2) had tied the score on a short run that was set up by Kenneth Carmona’s 66-yard run.

“It was a real dog fight and you have to give South East credit,” Hernandez said.

Molina also scored on a short run on Garfield’s previous series that broke a 14-14 tie early in the fourth quarter. A short but powerful runner, Molina led Garfield with 185 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.

Quarterback Stevie Williams completed seven of 12 passes for 76 yards and added 35 yards on 12 rushing attempts. Versatile Cleo Session Jr. caught four passes for 37 yards and rushed for 20 yards on four carries.

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