(Boyle Heights/East Los Angeles, CA)[From The Editor’s Desk]: The Mighty Roosevelt Rough Riders, still highly ranked in the CIF/L.A. City Section polls, returned home for just its second home game of the season, and their fans were in high expectations to see their team perform. There was already a big crowd that had nearly packed the stands to watch the JV team, thus ensuring themselves of a seat during the game.

We now invite all of our viewers and followers to read our game summary and watch this special 20:00 minute highlight video production brought to you Exclusively by East L.A. Sports Scene Films. 

[Game Preview]: The Legacy Tigers, located in the City of South Gate, CA, came into the contest with an overall record of (3-3) and an (0-2) Eastern League record. They also made an impression by filling their bleacher section to capacity in support of its team. The Riders, were still on their 6 game winning streak and remained impressive with their overall play up to this point of the season. They brought a perfect (2-0) Eastern League record into the game. Riders Head Coach Aldo Parral certainly has blended in a lot of combinations and rotations featuring his players from all grade levels. Last, but certainly not least, the Riders welcomed their leading rusher, senior, Jared Andrade, back into their fold fully recovered from his injury and ready to go.   

–Game Summary-

On a beautiful Fall 2022 Friday night, the Rough Riders returned home to keep their undefeated season alive. Along with this challenge, Theodore Roosevelt High School celebrated its always popular Pop Warner Boyle Heights Wolfpack Night. The local youth football and cheer organization was saluted as many of its former stars are prominent figures on this year’s team. And, as a specially featured pre-game highlighted moment, alumnus, Johnnie Padilla (former quarterback), Class of 1947, was celebrated as the Rough Riders Honorary Captain during the Captain’s Coin toss. The Public Address announcer enthusiastically informed the crowd of his incredible story. The last line he read was the most impressive, when announced that Mr. Padilla is still happily married to his high school sweetheart after all these so many decades. Roosevelt won the coin flip and chose to defer.

The Tigers took the opening drive and got credit for running 6 plays before punting it away. The versatile and extremely dangerous running back and Free Safety, Isaiah Wright, #4, took the return, found his wall of blockers, and weaved through Legacy defenders for a 63 yard touchdown. On his dynamic and crowd-stirring scoring run, Alejandro Arroyo was credited with a tremendous block that allowed Wright to scamper the final 20 yards untouched into the end zone. Arroyo, #9, then took the fullback dive in for an easy 2-point conversion. Roosevelt 8, Legacy 0.

On its next possession, Legacy fumbled inside their own 30 yard line. Alejandro Ibarra, #50, recovered the ball. On the next play, Wright, struck again as he ran a toss for 26 yards and a score. Jared Andrade, #5, made his much-awaited return to the squad after rehabbing an injury for three weeks plus the Bye week. He then converted the 2-point try and Roosevelt led by a score of 16-0.

The Tigers simply could not get anything going as their QB/Abraham Hernandez threw a perfect pass to Roosevelt’s cornerback Wright, which he returned for 27 yards. On the 2-point try, fullback Arroyo, # 9, punched it in after some confusion on the snap. Roosevelt 24, Legacy 0

The Riders defense continued to pitch a shutout and made Legacy go three and out. After a very short punt, Roosevelt took possession on Legacy’s 29 yard line. Andrade, #5, took the pitch and busted a big run untouched for a touchdown. Naszeer Reed, # 3, ran the 2-point try in successfully. Roosevelt 32, Legacy 0

The Rider defense continued overwhelming the Tigers as they forced another three and out, with a punt. Within moments, once again, Andrade, #5, took a reverse for a 42 yard touchdown run. Although the 2-point try was unsuccessful, Roosevelt was clearly in control as they put up their 38th point in the first quarter. Roosevelt 38, Legacy 0

In the second quarter, the Riders began their longest drive of the night as they took over inside their own 20 yard line. After 6 plays, Andrade, #5, ran the ball in for a 4 yard touchdown. Wright, #4, converted the 2-point try and put his team comfortably ahead. Roosevelt 46, Legacy 0

[Halftime Score]: Roosevelt  46  Legacy (South Gate)  0

The second half began with the “MERCY RULE” invoked by the Officials’ Crew Chief, who ordered the running clock because of the 40 point margin by the Riders. Not much offense was ever generated in the contest by the Tigers and they were just overwhelmed by their opponent, the top team in the Eastern League. Although their fan base was very vocal, the Tigers struggled on every possession and couldn’t match the energy that flowed from their supporters. Late in the 3rd period, Johan Alfaro, #8, ran it in for a 27 yard score. Reed, #3, converted the 2 point try. Roosevelt 54, Legacy 0

The game ended with a final touchdown by Roosevelt’s reserves near the end of the 4th quarter. The Riders were instructed by Coach Parral took the mandatory knee on the 2-point try and the game ended on that note, with no attempt being taken. One post-game scene that hasn’t been observed by high school football fans and student-bodies since the COVID pandemic shut down all high school sports several years ago, was the post-game 50 yard line Sportsmanship salute between all players and Coaching Staffs. Immediately after that occurred, Coach Parral and his Coaching Staff had the team gather around them as they delivered their post-game traditional wrap-up.

[Final Score]: Roosevelt  60  Legacy  0