Beas’ leg is the bee’s knees for Matadors

By Bill Dickens
Updated: September 24, 2016

RICHARD MOORE celebrates his interception with teammate JASON HERNANDEZ (62) Friday night.

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

MOUNT MIGUEL 43, UNIVERSITY CITY 26

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com

SPRING VALLEY (9-24-16) — Offense has been no problem for Mount Miguel this season. The Matadors are generating an average of 24 points per start.

In Friday night’s (Sept. 23) duel with University City the Matadors turned to veteran place kicker JOEL BEAS, who booted field goals of 43 and 31 yards to pull out a 36-27 victory over the Centurions.

“The 43-yarder was the longest I’ve ever kicked in a game,” Beas said. “I’ve kicked them as far as 55 yards in practice, but of course those don’t count. I’m just glad I came through when the team needed me most.”

SHEMAR GREENE bolted for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns on 29 carries to guide the Matadors to their first win of the season.

“It feels good to get on the board,” said Greene. “But just because we got one win doesn’t mean we can let up.”

Quarterback BENNY VALADEZ, who completed 13 of 17 passes for 144 yards including an 11-yard touchdown pass to MUGABEE MILLER, agreed.

“Because our running game was so potent, it opened up our passing game,” Valadez said.

SANTINO PACHECO opened the scoring for the Matadors with a 3-yard touchdown run with 4:05 remaining in the first quarter.

Mount Miguel finished the night with 315 yards rushing.

RICHARD MOORE led the Matadors’ receiving corps with 5 catches for 74 yards.

Defensively the Matadors continue to improve, led by CAMERON HANSON who recorded a team-leading 14 tackles.

“I like people to run at me,” Hanson said. “But I think University City didn’t get the memo that you can’t run your plays at No. 33 (his number). I know the score doesn’t show it but I think we had a solid defensive effort.”

The Mount Miguel secondary swiped two interceptions, one each by MARIO COKER and Moore.