WHITTIER \u2014 La Serna dominated El Rancho in Friday\u2019s Del Rio League football opener, benefitting from six interceptions on its way to a 30-13 victory.<\/p>\n
La Serna picked off El Rancho three times in its own end zone to prevent the Dons from scoring, and Lancers\u2019 two-way standout Jordan Bonilla had a big game.<\/p>\n
Bonilla had one of the Lancers\u2019 six picks and ran for a team-best 54 yards as the Lancers improved to 4-3 and 1-0 while the Dons fell to 3-3 and 0-1.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t break,\u201d Bonilla said. \u201cWe might bend, but we don\u2019t break. Trust in all our DBs. We got a good DB core. We got a lot of guys that can rotate. All credit to the coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the La Serna defense was dominant, quarterback Grady Long and wide receiver Landon Armenta were just as good.<\/p>\n
Long completed 11 of 17 passes for 189 yards with three total touchdowns to go with two interceptions. Armenda had seven receptions for 146 yards and two TDS.<\/p>\n
Long thought he needed to limit his mistakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just need to be better,\u201d Long said. \u201cJust get rid of the ball when it\u2019s not there and make plays for my team when I need to. Just keep on doing that and be good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite throwing six interceptions, El Rancho quarterback Adrian Lopez completed 13 of 22 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for El Rancho, the turnovers started early and were a problem all night.<\/p>\n
A Dons turnover allowed the Lancers to get the ball on the Dons\u2019 13 just moments into the game.<\/p>\n
Long took advantage, taking a long snap and running 13 yards for a touchdown on his team\u2019s opening drive.<\/p>\n
\nLa Serna quarterback Grady Long spoke to me about the chemistry he has with wide receiver Landon Armenta. The duo had 7 receptions for 144 yards and 2 TD\u2019s. @SGVNSports<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zuXbquf7Yv<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) October 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
After the touchdown, La Serna\u2019s defense quickly forced an El Rancho three-and-out.<\/p>\n
After getting a couple first downs, Long connected with Armenta for a 21-yard touchdown to go up 14-0.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey just have outstanding chemistry and they work hard,\u201d La Serna head coach Andy George said of his duo. \u201cJust a beautiful ball to Landon in the corner of the end zone on that fade.\u201d<\/p>\n
El Rancho needed a spark to get back in it.<\/p>\n
On its third offensive possession, the Dons dialed up a screen pass to Javier Hernandez. The play worked out perfectly as he found a hole and sprinted for a 67-yard touchdown to cut the Lancers\u2019 lead in half.<\/p>\n
El Rancho had an opportunity to get its second score after Jaycob Fuentes recovered a fumble.<\/p>\n
Later, Lopez completed a 5-yard shovel pass to Ray Madrid III, and though they missed the two-point conversion, they only trailed La Serna, 14-13.<\/p>\n
\nLa Serna cornerback Dominic Herrera spoke to me about the dominant performance out of this secondary tonight @SGVNSports<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/kfPWloXKFK<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) October 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cWe need to make sure we\u2019re focused up on our keys,\u201d El Rancho coach Adrian Medrano said. \u201cRecognize formations and fly around to the football and make some stops.\u201d<\/p>\n
La Serna went on to score two more times before halftime, however.<\/p>\n
The first was courtesy of the heroics of Armenta. He had a reception for 43 yards. Then three plays later, another for a 38-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cLandon\u2019s a dog,\u201d Long said. \u201cHe\u2019s a good player and has been balling all year. It was good to keep the connection rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two drives later, the Lancers got their second interception. This time, it was from Dominic Herrera, making his first career interception.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very exciting. So surreal,\u201d Herrera said. \u201cI\u2019ve dreamt of this.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Herrera\u2019s interception, the Lancers went downfield for a 10-play drive that ended in a 27-yard field goal before halftime.<\/p>\n
The next score for La Serna didn\u2019t come until the fourth quarter, when Aiden Casillas ran the ball for an 18-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n
After Casillas\u2019 touchdown, the Lancers\u2019 defense had four more interceptions as El Rancho was desperately looking for a late score to get them back in the ball game.<\/p>\n
\nCaught up with La Serns head coach Andy George after his team\u2019s first Del Rio league victory of the year pic.twitter.com\/Azo3ZAOYzU<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) October 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Originally Published: October 4, 2025 at 12:02 AM PDT<\/p>\n