(Bell, CA) —The Eastern League battle between these two undefeated schools, the Bell Eagles (2-0) [at the 9/28 game time], and the Garfield Bulldogs (1-0), goes to Garfield, currently ranked #5 in the Fox Sports/So. Cal. Prep Insiders poll. Final score, Garfield 42, Bell 0.

In this game, the relentless “Bulldawg” defense factored in quite a bit as they used their vaunted team tactics to create a constant wave of chaos as evidenced by tackles for losses, QB hurries, sacks, 3-And-Outs, and other forced miscues. The highlight play of the game occurred in the 4th quarter when we witnessed our first-ever “Strip-6 “ play. This comprehensive style of defense greatly hampered the Bell Eagles in their attempt to remain undefeated during early Eastern League play.

Brief Game Summary:

1st Qtr—The Bulldogs continued offensively where they left off against Legacy HS on 9/21/18. That is, they scored on their first four consecutive possessions of the game. It was all due to the big Offensive line surging and timely blocking for their outstanding running back, #1/JR/RB/P. J. Garcia, who racked up 3 rushing TDs. His second and third were nearly identical 55 yd. TD runs, while his first was an 8 yd. run over left tackle for the first points of the game. Of Significance….Garcia’s game stat-line shows that he easily rushed for a total of 175 yds. while scoring 4 TDs. For the season, he has remarkably now rushed for more than 1,067 yds. on 97 carries in just six games. Coming with that are his personal bests to date, (13 TDs), an average of (176) rushing yards per game, (10.6) yards per carry, and (6) 100+ yard games.

2nd Qtr —The Bulldogs used the score to their advantage and allowed Coach Hernandez to once again reward his back-up players with significant playing time. He continued to platoon his QBs, #15/SR/Israel Castillo and #18/SO/Jonathan Bautista effectively, using the “Air Attack” strategy along with the power running game to move the ball into numerous “Red Zone” opportunities. For the game, the duo combined for a total of 298 yards with Castillo going 10-14 /108 yds/1TD and Bautista chiming in with 12-18/198 yds. Meanwhile the defense was once again led by the consistently swarming and suffocating tackling techniques as delivered by the front four, the linebacking corps, and the defensive secondary. Each unit performed to a near-flawless level of play. Leading his defensive pack in tackles was #48/JR/DE/Miguel Ortiz with (10), while seniors #4 Andrew Hernandez and #28 Nick Delgadillo each chipped in with (9). Last but not least, #44/SO/DL/Matt Noriega added (7).

3rd Qtr—Due to a back-and-forth style of play, there was no scoring in this period. 

4th Qtr—At the (8:30) mark, the Bulldogs scored on a P. J. Garcia blast straight up the middle for his 4th TD of the game. On Bell’s ensuing possession after the kick-off, and Of High Significance, was #4/SR/CB/Andrew Hernandez’s “Strip-6” play that occurred when the Bell runner unexpectedly left the ball exposed on his right side. While seeing the ball, and as coached by his defensive coordinator, Hernandez instinctively and cleanly stripped the ball from the runner and then took off untouched for the end zone to complete the 25 yd. scoring play, moving the score to (42-0). After this TD, and at the (8:00) minute mark remaining in the contest, the officials invoked the “Mercy Rule” to finish out the game. Of Significance.…the defensive unit has allowed only 27 points in 6 games, or just an incredible 4.5 points per game. 

FINAL SCORE: Garfield 42  Bell 0

NEXT UP: The Bulldogs return home for their “Senior Appreciation Night” to play the South East Jaguars. Kick-off is set for 7 pm.

In Other Scores:

Roosevelt  40  Legacy 21

Wilson 55   Marshall 12 

Eagle Rock  70  Torres  0

Contreras 43   Mendez  20