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Cantu leads ELAC to upset of Antelope Valley


By WAVE STAFF


Story Created: Oct 4, 2011 at 12:18 PM PDT



Quarterback Aaron Cantu threw four touchdown passes and ran for another to help lead East L.A. College to a 35-28 nonconference football victory over Antelope Valley Saturday in Lancaster.



Cantu, a freshman from Schurr High School, completed 28 of 42 passes for 358 yards as ELAC improved to 2-3 at the season’s halfway point. The Huskies have a bye this week before resuming play at home Oct. 15 against San Diego Mesa (1-4) in a Mountain Conference opener.

Saturday’s victory was the first for the Huskies over Antelope Valley since 1991. ELAC lost to the Marauders in 2009, 2008 and 1992.

“To get a win at Antelope Valley is really huge for us,” ELAC coach Lynn Cain said. “It gives us a lot of confidence and momentum to take into conference play.”

The Huskies drove 80 yards in 12 plays to score on their first possession. The drive ended with Dorsey High product Chris Clark scoring on a 22-yard reception. Clark (three catches, 48 yards) also caught a 7-yard scoring pass in the third quarter to break a 14-14 tie.

Carlos Arredondo, Cantu’s former Schurr teammate, caught 11 passes for 119 yards, including a 5-yarder for a TD.

Wide receiver Luther Walker had six for 90 yards, Carlos Portillo three for 19 yards and Christopher De Leon (Montebello) two for 29.

Running back Preston Oliver had a 34-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter. He also rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries.

After Oliver’s touchdown gave the Huskies a 28-21 lead, Cantu’s 10-yard run with 5:47 remaining increased it to 35-21. The score capped an 11-play drive that covered 82 yards.

Running back Justin Forte keyed the drive with 40 rushing yards on four carries, including a 19-yard run to start the drive. The sophomore from Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester, N.Y., finished the game with a team-leading 63 rushing yards on 13 attempts.

Marquel Booker (Foothill High, Henderson, Nev.) added 43 yards on 11 carries.

The offensive line of left tackle Ramon Barraza (Roosevelt), left guard Hasiel Santoyo (Garfield), center Albert Perez (Schurr), right guard Jamal Tucrkile (Lynwood) and right tackle Carlos Lozano (Montebello) did an outstanding job of protecting Cantu. The unit was bolstered by reserve Edgar Gonzalez (Garfield), who played guard and tackle.

Defensively, the Huskies were led by cornerback Tyrone Moore (Ridge, Suwanee, Ga.) with 10 total tackles. Tackle Rigo Verdin (Franklin) and linebacker Shawn Esparza (Warren) each had seven total tackles, and safety Robert Felton was credited with six.

Cain praised the play of defensive tackle Chris Floyd and defensive end Chris Frias (Montebello), while noting that the Huskies played without cornerback Juan Mariscal (Roosevelt) and linebacker Hector Cazales (Garfield) because of injuries.

“Floyd is a leader on defense and Barraza is the leader on the offensive line,” Cain said. “Floyd challenges the others on the defensive line to play well and Barraza sets the tone with hard work.”

Another key for the Huskies has been the punting of Julio Segura. The sophomore from South Gate High boomed one of his two punts 61 yards.



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