Toros get win over Stallions in first Rodeo Bowl
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Matilda Torres’ Joesph Bass runs the corner during a long run in Friday’s Rodeo Bowl win over Madera South. Bass rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
The Matilda Torres Toros’ football team’s balanced attack did just enough to finish off the ground-oriented Madera South Stallions to win the first Rodeo Bowl ,and the first meeting between the crosstown rivals.
The Toros gained 356 yards of total offense with 156 in the air and 200 on the ground. Joseph Bass led the ground attack with 166 yards and three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Stallions only generated 30 yards in the air, but gained 272 yards on the ground, led by Angelo Moreno’s 147. Quarterback Ahmed Sharhan threw two touchdowns, but a costly interception late sealed the win for the Toros.
Torres quarterback Jose Solorio completed passes to five different receivers with Josiah Salinas leading the team with three catches for 54 yards.
Bass scored on touchdown runs of 29, 6 and 5 yards while Solorio finished out the scoring.
For most of the game, it was a battle of scoring and then answering. It happened three times when one team scored, the other scored on the next possession.
Madera South got the ball first and drove into Torres territory, but had to punt. Three plays later, Jacob Edwards picked off Solorio and returned it to the Torres four-yard line.
After a penalty, Moreno gained nine to the one-yard line. Two plays later, on fourth-and-goal, Sharhan hit a wide-open Edwards in the end zone for the touchdown. Julian Castellanos hit the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Right away, the Toros battled back. They methodically moved down the field, driving 43 yards on nine plays. Solorio hit Salinas twice for first down receptions on third down.
On second down from the 29-yard line, Bass went up the middle and then ran down the left sideline for a touchdown run. The point after was missed and the Stallions led 7-6.
After trades in possessions, the Toros took advantage of a dropped punt snap to take the lead. Torres took over on the Stallions’ 28-yard line. Bass gained eight and Solorio hit Jesus Moreno for a 14-yard gain to the six-yard line. Bass ran it in on the next play. He also ran in the two-point conversion for a 14-7 Toros’ lead.
The Stallions got a 44-yard kick-off return from Erik Cervantes to get the ball into Toros territory. Edwards converted a third down with a four-yard run. Angelo Moreno carried for eight, then Sharhan for four and Cervantes for four more to the 11.
Sharhan found Isaiah Ford in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown. Castellanos hit the point after to tie the score at 14 heading into halftime.
The Stallions got a sack and fumble from Joseph Velasquez and a recovery from Angel Duarte, but the offense turned the ball over on downs.
Soriano hit Jesus Moreno for a 17-yard gain , and then found Angel Pereida for a 30-yard gain to the four-yard line. Three plays later, Bass punched it in from five yards out. Alan Avila hit the extra point for a 21-14 third quarter lead.
The Stallions came back with a 12-play, 62-yard drive that consisted of all runs. Moreno got the drive started with a 12-yard gain. He gained seven on third-and-four. Sharhan gained 11 on fourth-and-three. Sharhan gained four for first-and-goal from the nine.
Two plays later, Moreno punched it in from five yards out. However, the point after was missed and Madera South trailed 21-20 early in the fourth quarter.
Soriano hit Amani Sua for 21 yards to open the ensuing drive, however a penalty backed them up. Two incomplete passes forced the Toros into a punt.
The Stallions had a drive to take the lead. After Moreno gained three on third-and-two, Cervantes went around the right side for a 30-yard gain into Toros territory.
On third-and-seven, Sharhan dropped the shotgun snap. He picked it up and was forced to roll to his left. He sent a ball down the field, but it was intercepted by Salinas.
Bass and the Toros went to work. Bass gained five on the first play and got an offisdes call for a first down. Bass then gained 12 for another first down, and then four more yards. He found a big hole off the right side and gained 32 yards to the one-yard line.
Soriano finished the drive off with a sneak for the touchdown. Bass ran in the two-point conversion for a 29-20 lead.
Madera South had a last gasp. Sharhan and Moreno gained 12 yards each. Sharhan found Cervantes for 19 yards. However, the Stallions turned the ball over on downs and the Toros took a knee for the victory.
