Walnut Runs Past Nogales 34-0 in League Opener

WALNUT – Heading into its Hacienda League opener, both Nogales and Walnut entered the contest 0-1, with the winner gaining the advantage in League standings.

Walnut took that advantage, easily dispatching of the Visiting Nobles 34-0.

Nogales (0-2, 0-1) looked like it was going to strike first as it recovered the opening kickoff after Walnut muffed the return attempt. However, the Nobles could not capitalize on that opportunity.

After the turnover on downs, the Mustangs (1-1, 1-0) marched down the field, highlighted by a Donathon Maldonado 33-yard pass to Ruben Rivera to set up Walnut’s first touchdown. Nathan Wong capped the drive with a 21-yard scoring run to give Walnut the early 7-0 advantage.

Despite being unable to do much offensively, Nogales did do a better job protecting the football, something they weren’t able to do in the previous game where they fumbled the ball four times.

Coach Gus Martinez affirmed that ball security was something they addressed this week.

In addition to ball security, Martinez also said that his team’s short passing game was much better this week, that if they could “put it together with our run game we will be much better.”

Rivera scored on a 18-yard run, and then Wong found Nathan Gonzales with a 30-yard scoring pass to give Walnut a commanding 21-0 lead heading into halftime.

Caleb Del Pozo led the way for Walnut going for 80 yards on five carries and a touchdown. Rivera finished with 43 yards with two touchdowns on six carries.

“They were much more physical than us,” Martinez said. “Yes we were down some bodies, but no excuses, they beat us up front.”

Nogales hosts Diamond Bar, a 38-7 winner over Ontario on Saturday with a 1pm kickoff

Walnut visits Ontario Friday. Kickoff is at 3:15 pm

Other Scores

Diamond Bar 38, Ontario 7

Thursday’s scores

Diamond Ranch 27, Northview 0