GARDEN GROVE – Adrian Ramirez was supposed to be just the backup quarterback, a placeholder to manage the game until Los Amigos’ starter returns. But after running for 179 yards and five touchdowns Friday, Ramirez might be the starter for rest of the season.
Ramirez scored all of the Lobos’ touchdowns in a 38-28 victory over Estancia as Los Amigos (8-0, 3-0) took command of the Sigma League.
“Our starting quarterback got hurt about two weeks ago, and I had to step in as the backup,” said Ramirez, who is listed as a receiver/defensive back on the roster. “So I stepped in and I’m doing my job right now.”
To say the Lobos got off to an explosive start is an understatement. In the first 3:03 of the game, Ramirez had rushed four times for 94 yards and two TDs.
His 43-yard run to the Eagles 2-yard line set up his first TD. Four plays later, Jessie Ruiz fell on an Estancia fumble to give Los Amigos the ball back at the 42, and Ramirez ripped off 39-yard TD run two plays later.
After TDs of 9 and 2 yards in the second half, Ramirez finished his night with a 16-yard TD on his final carry.
Isaac Galindo added 131 yards on 17 carries, and Raul Cruz went for 70 yards on nine carries. The Lobos rushed for 409 yards on 50 carries.
“Sometimes it’s run-pass option, but must of time it’s straight run because our line is great,” Ramirez said. “I think we have the best offensive line in the league, and that we can go a long way with them in the postseason.”
A 60-yard run by Julian Moro to the Los Amigos 30 gave the Eagles a spark, setting up Roy Brown’s 7-yard TD 57 seconds into the second quarter to cut the lead to 14-7.
The Eagles got another break when a TD run by Ramirez with 36 seconds left in the half was nullified by a penalty. But the Lobos recovered with Eruby Bermudez’s 34-yard field goal to end the half for 17-7 lead.
“At the half we were a little down because we let them score and we had to settle for a field goal,” Ramirez said.
The two teams traded touchdowns in the second half, but the Eagles could never get closer than 10 points.
Muro led Estancia with 110 yards rushing on seven carries, and Sean Sweeney ran for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
