(Boyle Heights/East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: Yes, they’ve done it again! The mighty Roosevelt Rough Riders and Head Coach Aldo Parral, now in his sixth year in the Captain’s Chair, are off to the school’s best start in many, many years. With their recent fifth consecutive road victory, this time over the South East Jaguars, they are now a perfect (6-0) overall, (4-0) in their Non-conference record with three games on the road and only one home game, and (2-0) in the Eastern League, both of these were also on the road. The only Home game to date has been against the Dorsey Dons.

In regards to the rankings, the Riders have now moved up a bit to the #284 position in the State. They are currently in 4th place in the CIF/L.A. City Section, and #131 in the MaxPreps Los Angeles Metro High School Football Rankings. The Rough Riders will be off for their mandatory “Bye” week, and will return Home to play on Friday, Oct. 7th against the Legacy Tigers (Maywood,CA). Kick-off is set for 7:30 PM.

–Game Summary–

The Riders received the opening kickoff after losing the coin toss. The first quarter was filled with many scores. On their opening drive, #3/ Naszeer Reed broke for a 72 yard run. The 2-point try was no good, Roosevelt 6, South East 0.

On the next possession,#4/Isaiah Wright ran for 22 yards and a score. The 2-point try was successful when, #9/Alexander Arroyo, punched it in to make it Roosevelt 14, South East 0.

With the ball in South East’s hands, Wright, who also plays defensive back, intercepted a Jaguars pass and returned it 35 yards for a “pick-6” making it “back-to-back” touchdowns. Then, #8/Johan Alfaro, ran it in for a successful 2-point try, moving the score up to Roosevelt 22, South East 0.

After a punt by South East, Arroyo, ran a dive play off the right side for 76 yards, out running the defense for a score. Alfaro, took the ball and scored on a 2-point conversion. Roosevelt 30, South East 0

Immediately before the end of the quarter, Arroyo, was at it again, but this time on defense, as he picked off another Jaguar pass for a 32 yard touchdown return. The 2-point try failed. Roosevelt 36, South East 0.

The 2nd quarter began with a running clock as Head Coach Aldo Parral felt that the game was out of hand and simply wanted it to end out of respect for his opponent. Roosevelt scored on its first possession of the quarter with, #24/ Diego Lopez’s 4 yd run. Next, #1/Isaac Rodriguez scored the 2-point try, making it Roosevelt 44, South East 0.

The Jaguars had no luck that night as another pass was intercepted by the Rider defense. Alfaro returned it 28 yards for a score. The Riders mercifully and respectfully took a knee during their possessions  and did not attempt to score as they headed to the half. Simply stated, the “Mercy Rule” coupled with the CIF/L.A. City Section’s by-laws, invokes a running clock regulation to be in “full-effect” whenever a team is losing by more than 40 points at any given time in the game. The officiating Crew Chief, authorized that from the 2nd quarter to the end of the contest.

[HALFTIME SCORE]: Rough Riders  50  Jaguars  0

In the 3rd quarter with the running game clock, many of the reserves were inserted into the game. Roosevelt ran a simple quarterback wedge and #6/QB/Christian Beltran, slipped through the cracks and ran for a long touchdown. The Riders again took a knee to cap off their final score of the evening, closing it at (56-0).

The final quarter had Roosevelt taking knees on their drives to avoid any further scoring against their opponent. The final gun was sounded and much to the relief of Jaguar fans, the scoring stopped. The Riders improved to (2-0) in Eastern League play and remained undefeated with their 6th consecutive win, and five of them being road victories.

[FINAL SCORE]: Roosevelt  56  South East  0

–Coach Parral’s Corner–

On being (6-0) and having your best start of the season since you’ve taken over, what can you share re: this school week and then having your first “Bye” weekend off..

“Really excited to have the start we have, the kids are playing amazing ball to this point. This has been a labor of love and the staff and I are just able to have the opportunity to reflect on what has been done to date. With the Bye week, the team will have a chance to heal up as we begin our push into the second half of the season. Kids need rest and some healing time. Luckily our Bye week comes at a point where kids can catch up on their homework and studies as we approach the (10) week report cards which determine eligibility.”

On your student-athletes and their academics and maintaining their eligibility at this point in the season…

“As mentioned above, studies have been pretty smooth for most of the squad. Fortunately, we are blessed to have a group of bright kids, and they have been, and will be able to tutor their teammates. The kids are pretty good about helping each other out whenever its needed. We allow kids to take some time off from practice when they need to focus on their studies as long as they attend practice and do their work on the sideline.”

On an overall assessment of the team, your coaching and scouting tactics that are keeping you undefeated and standing firm in the rankings…

“It has been a challenge of sorts this season to find that balance between academics, field practice/work, and family time. The team and I are continuing to do our best to make sure that we keep things in perspective. To date, the staff and I are just doing our best to focus on each opponent one team at a time. As we tell the kids, you can only worry about the next play and your assignment. The scoreboard will take care of itself.”

On the status of any injured players…

“The health of the team is pretty good overall. Kids are healthy and those that are not are nursing injuries. They should be ready for the second half of the season. Part of coaching involves managing team health and playing time. Some decisions are difficult and few are easy. The guiding rule is, what is best for the overall health of the player. I probably baby them too much and error on the side of player safety. Not a bad side to make a mistake on.”