alice24-7.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=46&ArticleID=6896Back to their running ways
Ramos, Montalvo run by Laredo Alexander
Robert Ramos (PHOTO BY MARK MOLINA)
Robert Ramos (PHOTO BY MARK MOLINA)
Mark Molina
Sports Editor
It wasn't exactly a smooth cruise for the Alice Coyotes from start to finish, but they were in the driver's seat for what seemed to be the entire night.
The Alice Coyotes opened their 2013 football season without missing a beat from last season, as they rode their running game to a 44-28 victory over the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs Friday night at Memorial Stadium.
Alexander didn't seem to have an answer for the Alice (1-0) running game as they gave up five scores on the ground behind a big performance from the offensive line.
"The offensive line came out possessed; they were focused, executed right, the fakes were there and Robert (Ramos) did a great job for us tonight," Alice Head Coach Chris Soza said. "They (Alexander) tried to take away the outside game and we hit them with the inside stuff. Just give our line a lot of credit; they executed properly and came out ready to play."
The Coyotes opened up a 30-6 lead thanks to the strong running of senior fullback Robert Ramos and junior running back Oscar Montalvo, who accounted for a combined six touchdowns.
The Bulldogs, however, did not go quite so easily, as they finished the first half and began the second by scoring 16 unanswered points thanks to big passing plays from quarterback Aaron Swain.
Despite giving up big plays in the second half of the game, the young Coyote defense would put the clamps on late and gave the offense a chance to pull away.
Still, Alexander's run contained two long touchdown passes from Swain to Marc Lozoya for a combined 136 yards.
The Bulldog big play ability, though, was something to be expected.
"Alexander has an outstanding back and a quarterback. They had some big plays, but that was something that was possible coming in," Soza said. "Overall, I'm pleased with the effort they gave here tonight. Being able to hold them to 28 points is really good."
The defense did catch its footing eventually and was able to hold the Bulldogs to a 3-for-9 mark on third downs.
Early on it looked like it would be the Ramos-Montalvo free-for-all as both reached the endzone twice in the first half.
Ramos led the way on the opening drive with a couple of long runs capped off by a 17-yard touchdown, followed by a pair from Montalvo from 29 and 15 yards out.
Both were key cogs on late drives as they both answered the bell with big runs and scores to hold off the Alexander attack.
"The defense was coming hard and we ran it right down the middle," Ramos said. "Their linebackers took themselves out of the game, and we stuck to the game plan. We ran right up the middle, and it was successful."
Ramos finished the game with 231 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns, including one that came on a pass from Jon Jaramillo for 26 yards.
Jaramillo, who played well and managed a smooth offense, was 9-for-12 through the air for 113 yards, a score and a fumble.
Meanwhile Montalvo scored three times on the ground on five carries, gaining 65 yards.
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