Contreras’ Deflection Preserves Valley’s 28-21 Win Over Glendale

Two quarterbacks each threw for more than 200 yards.

Two running backs each gained more than 140 yards.

And two receivers each exceeded 80 yards in receptions.

But it was Valley College linebacker Albert Contreras who made the biggest play Saturday night in the Monarchs’ 28-21 victory over visiting Glendale in a Western State Conference interdivision game.

With 39 seconds remaining and Glendale facing a fourth-and-five situation at the Valley 10-yard line, Contreras deflected Eric Kiesau’s pass over the middle and the ball fell harmlessly into the end zone to preserve the Monarchs’ victory.

Glendale (1-1) rallied from a 28-7 third-quarter deficit. The Vaqueros’ Angel Martinez scored on a 50-yard punt return late in the third quarter, and Pathon Rucker’s seven-yard touchdown run early in the fourth period pulled Glendale to within seven points of Valley (1-0-1).

Rucker, seeing his first action as a collegian after setting rushing records at Glendale High, finished with 146 yards in 24 carries.

Valley’s Howard Blackwell led all rushers with 179 yards in 19 carries and scored on runs of 13 and 14 yards.

Blackwell also caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Mauldin.

Mauldin completed 14 of 27 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns and had one interception.

Valley’s Benny Evans led all receivers with 87 yards on four catches and scored on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Mauldin.

Kiesau finished 12 of 24 for 252 yards and a touchdown.

Mauldin had more passing yardage by halftime than he had in the entire game two weeks ago against Antelope Valley.

The sophomore from San Fernando High completed eight of 18 in the first half for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Mauldin drove the Monarchs 73 yards in the game’s opening series, capping the march with a seven-yard pass to Blackwell.

Mauldin was back at it on the Monarchs’ next possession, completing a 34-yard pass to Brandon Best to put the ball on the Glendale 13. Blackwell scored on the next play on a 13-yard run over the left side.

Jamie Ballesteros’ kick gave Valley a 14-0 lead with 1 minute 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Glendale countered before the quarter was over when Kiesau found Sky Bushy behind the coverage and completed an 82-yard touchdown pass to the 5-foot-9 receiver.

Valley increased its advantage to 21-7 with two seconds remaining in the first half when Mauldin connected with Evans, who broke out of the grasp of Felix Goodson and Kevin Hurley, and went 50 yards for a touchdown.