Monte Vista victory is Taylor-made

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: December 7, 2024

UPDATED –

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
CIF South Regional – Division 6-A Championship

ECS staff report

SPRING VALLEY – Fifth-five years ago was the last time any Grossmont Conference school played in a game of any signifance in any sports against the Pasadena High Bulldogs.

In the final of a boys basketball tournament, future Hall of Fame center Bill Walton of Helix collected a remarkable 50 points and an even more astounding 34 rebounds to defeat ‘Dawgs, 110-68, on Dec. 31, 1969.

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East County schools have met Pasadena on other occasions, but this was he most signifacnet contest until Saturday (Dec. 7) night, when Monte Vista met the Bulldogs for the CIF Southland Division 6-A title.

With Monarchs running back Alexander Villanueva setting an East County record for most touchdowns in a single postseason, Monte Vista’s ground game mounted a 21-7 halftime cushion, pounding the Bulldogs, 41-21,

However, with Pasadenas highly anticipating hand-offs to Villanuena, it was the arm and legs of Monte Vista quarterback Derrick Taylor that spelled the different.

Taylor, a GRADE, rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another.

Monte Vista stayed with its traditional running ttack in the first quarter to a 707 draw. But in the drvonf period, Taylor went to air to mount a 21-7 halftime lead.

Startong at their wn 20-yard line following a fourth-down tackle by Monarcs dfender Giovanni Lopez for a ;pss.Taylor connected with Rahshawn Florence for 42 yards, then Villanuena rushed for 8 additional yards.

Two plays later, Taylor found hit Andrew Barka for a 25-yard TD, giving Monte Vista the lead for keeps.

The half ended on a 1-yard dive byTaylor for a 21-7 advantage.

In the third, Taylor again went up the middle for a 2-yard TD, but Pasadena displayed its own pass attack in the third period with a pair of scores to close to within less than a touchdown at 27-21.

However, the fourth period was all Monte Vista.

A surprise pass by Mohab Oqdeh went to Rahshawn Florence for 70 yards, as he was ruled just short of the goal line. But another Taylor dive — his third TD of the contest — pushed the lead back to double digits.

Villanuela then registered his 77-yard “Pick 6” runback in the game’s closing moments, giving him the record for scores in a single postseason. Villanuena also opened the bal;lgame’s scoring with a 3-yard TD rush.

Monte Vista moved its record moves to 10-5 and on a 7-game win streak (school-record fifth straight of the playoffs. Pasadena ends at 8-7 overall.

The Monarchs advance to the CIF State Championship next Saturday (Dec. 14) at 3 p.m. at Fullerton Union High School Stadium (right behind Fullerton College)against Tuolumne-Summerville, a 45-28 victor over Atherton-Sacred Heart Prep in the Northern California Regional.

Compiled by Nick Pellegrino

Summary

Sat., Dec. 7

CIF South Regional Division 6-A
At Monarchs Stadium
MONARCHS 41, BULLDOGS 21
Pasadena (8-7)      7  0 14  0 - 21
Monte Vista (10-5)  7 14  6 14 - 41

First Quarter
mv – Alexander Villanueva 3 run (Marco Gutierrez kick)
PB – Solis-Lunar 36 pass from Burbidge (Matt Zuniga kick)

Second Quarter
MV – Andrew Barka 25 pass from Derrick Taylorb (Danny Baca kick)
MV – Derrick Taylor 1 run (Danny Baca kick)

Third Quarter
MV – Derrick Taylor 2 run (kick failed)
PB – Anthony Fields 70 pass from Dutch Burbridge (kMatt Zuniga ick)
PB – Anthony Fields 58 pass from Dutch Burbrudge (Matt Zuniga kick)

Fourth Quarter
MV – Derrick Taylor 1 run (Danny Baca kick)
MV – Alexander Villanueba 77 interception return (Danny Bacakick)

STATS (posted by SD Union-Tribune)

Taylor (MV): 8-for-10 passing, 235 yards; 5 catches, 206 yards.