IRWINDALE — In a challenging season opener on September 1, 2023, the Rio Hondo Prep football team overcame a sluggish start to defeat Schurr High School 20-9. The game took a serious turn late in the second quarter when star running back Noah Penunri was injured and transported by ambulance for further evaluation, leaving his team without one of its key players.
Despite Penunri’s absence, the Kares managed to regroup and secure the win. Head coach Mark Carson expressed optimism regarding Penunri’s condition, stating, “He’s going to be fine, we think. Just taking precautions, they wanted to take him in.” Carson praised the resilience of his team in the face of adversity and highlighted the performance of Calogero Chico, who stepped into a prominent role. Chico rushed for over 100 yards and scored a crucial touchdown.
Chico acknowledged the impact of losing Penunri, saying, “Noah is the core of our team. To see him go down, everybody felt it. We took it personally. We weren’t going to lose him and lose the game.”
The first half was dominated by defensive efforts from both teams, with neither able to establish a rhythm on offense. The Spartans managed to take a 3-0 lead by converting a 36-yard field goal from Robert Olivares late in the first quarter.
As the second quarter progressed, Rio Hondo Prep finally found the end zone. With less than a minute remaining before halftime, quarterback Yanick Diaz connected with Elias Har for a 37-yard touchdown pass, putting the Kares ahead 6-3.
The momentum shifted significantly after halftime. Although Rio Hondo Prep fumbled on their first play from scrimmage, their defense held strong, preventing Schurr from capitalizing on the error. Carson noted, “We call that sudden change… Our defense did a great job because that could’ve been a turning point in the game.”
Seizing the opportunity, the Kares accelerated their offensive tempo. Shortly thereafter, Chico sprinted 63 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 13-3 in the third quarter. With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Tyler Dang further solidified the victory with a 50-yard touchdown run.
Following the game, Schurr coach Austin Montoya reflected on the challenges his team faced, particularly with a freshman quarterback and several new starters on the offensive line. “I think we looked like we had a freshman quarterback and four brand new starters along the offensive line. We couldn’t get out of our own way,” he said.
Looking ahead, Schurr will face another tough match as they host La Serna next Friday. Meanwhile, Rio Hondo Prep will prepare to take on Quartz Hill, aiming to build on their season-opening success.
