Jimenez throws 3 TDs as Spartans blank Bulldogs

Central Spartans prepare to run during last week's City Championship Game against the Southwest Eagles.

EL CENTRO 性视界传媒 Junior quarterback Luis Jimenez threw three touchdown passes to lead the Central Union High football team to a 35-0 Imperial Valley League victory over Calexico at Cal Jones Field on the Central campus on Friday, Oct. 18.

The three Jimenez touchdown passes came during a 28-point onslaught in the second quarter that blew open a 7-0 game after the first quarter. In fact, the 35-0 halftime score would be the final as neither team was able to find the end zone in the second half.

With the win, Central improves to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in IVL action while Calexico falls to 4-4 overall and 0-3 in the IVL. Imperial and Brawley lead the IVL with both sitting at 2-0. The Tigers and Wildcats will square off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, at Shimamoto-Simpson Stadium on the Imperial campus.

Central has a bye week coming up while Calexico will take on Southwest (0-2 in IVL) at Ward Field on the Calexico campus at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25.

The Spartans took the opening kickoff on Friday and marched 65 yards in 12 plays with senior Nico Viesca finishing the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Malachi Rodriguez hit the extra-point kick and Central was up 7-0 with 6:36 left in the first quarter.

性视界传媒淲e wanted to come out tonight and have a clean game and do everything right,性视界传媒 said the 17-year-old Viesca, who led the Spartans with 84 yards rushing on 12 carries. 性视界传媒淲e came out prepared and wanted to have the focus to do all the little things correctly and limit mistakes.性视界传媒

Central性视界传媒檚 opening drive of the second quarter was a quick one as the Spartans went 62 yards in just four plays with Jimenez connecting with senior Miguel Vega on a 28-yard touchdown pass. Rodriguez kicked the extra point and Central was up 14-0 with 9:44 left before halftime.

After forcing the Bulldogs to punt on the ensuing possession, Central性视界传媒檚 special teams got a blocked punt from senior Isaac Galvan than knocked the ball all the way back into the Calexico end zone where the Spartans性视界传媒 Angel Vasquez jumped on the loose ball for a touchdown and 21-0 Central lead with 4:08 left in the quarter.

性视界传媒淚 saw him (Galvan) getting there and blocking the punt and then when I saw the ball bouncing to the end zone and I knew I had to sprint and go get it,性视界传媒 said Vasquez, a 16-year-old sophomore. 性视界传媒淚 thought it was going to bounce out of the end zone but I was able to jump on it.性视界传媒

With 2:11 left in the half, Jimenez was able to hit junior receiver Joshua Garcia for a 36-yard touchdown pass to put Central up 28-0.

And to close the half, the Spartans had a three-play, 61-yard drive that took just 26 seconds. Central junior Emiliano Morales intercepted a pass at his own goal line and returned it to the 39-yard-line with 28 seconds left in the half.

Then the offense needed just three plays to score when Jimenez hit Garcia on a screen pass that went for a 46-yard touchdown with just two seconds left before halftime to make it 35-0.

Calexico got a big game from junior fullback Andre Lopez who rushed for a game-high 144 yards on 18 carries.

Jimenez finished the game completing 8-of-13 passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns, while Garcia was the leading receiver with two catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

性视界传媒淲e wanted to come out and play a clean game, but we have a lot to clean up,性视界传媒 said David Pena, now in his eighth year as head coach of the Spartans. 性视界传媒淲e had some negative plays and some penalties that we need to clean up over our bye week to be ready for the Bell Game.性视界传媒

The annual Bell Game is set for Nov. 1 at Warne Field in Brawley.

性视界传媒淥ver the next couple weeks we just have to block out all the outside noise,性视界传媒 said Viesca, who is 2-0 in Bell Games while at Central. 性视界传媒淭he atmosphere of the game is what makes it so great. You are playing for more than yourself and your team. It性视界传媒檚 for your entire community.性视界传媒

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