EASTVALE – Ceaser Gonzalez contributed touchdowns three different ways on Friday night to help Norco erase the memory of its Week 8 loss to Corona Centennial.
The senior receiver caught a 20-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, passed for a 44-yard touchdown in the second quarter and ran for a 1-yard score in the third quarter as Norco defeated Roosevelt 51-7 in a Big VIII League game.
“Of course this is the kind of performance that I want to have, and I think one that’s probably best for the team,” Gonzalez said. “This was a good game for us because we were able to shake off the loss (to Centennial). It’s almost like it never happened.”
Gonzalez had four receptions for 50 yards and totaled 99 yards from scrimmage for Norco (7-2 overall, 2-1 Big VIII), which was scuttled by mistakes in a turnover-plagued 28-0 loss at home to Centennial last week in a game that was called in the second quarter because of lightning.
“This is a big turnaround,” Norco coach Chuck Chastain said. “We didn’t play very well last week against an elite team so we had motivation to come out against Roosevelt and get it done.”
Jaydn Ott rushed for a 60-yard touchdown in the first quarter, added an 89-yard run gain in the second quarter and finished with 220 yards on just nine carries for Norco, which was ranked fourth in the latest CIF-Southern Section Division 2 coaches poll.
“We talked about having tempo this week, executing and not making dumb penalties,” Chastain said. “When we can do those things then we’re a good offense.”
Xavier Ward was 12 of 29 passing for 141 yards and one touchdown but also threw three first-half interceptions in the loss for Roosevelt (5-4, 2-2), which has lost consecutive games going into its Week 10 matchup against Centennial.
“It’s really mental stamina. We have to focus on doing our jobs,” Roosevelt coach Tommy Leach said. “I think we’re in the playoffs and the bottom line is we have one game to get better against a great opponent, and there’s nobody better to get better against than Centennial.”
Gonzalez gave Norco the lead in the first 90 seconds when he capped the opening drive with a 20-yard touchdown catch from Shane Illingsworth, and the Cougars grabbed a 14-0 lead five minutes later on Ott’s 60-yard scoring run.
Ott pounded the ball for a couple of first downs on Norco’s next drive, and with the Cougars in possession at midfield Gonzalez took a direct snap and hurled it downfield to Jaden Navarette for 44 yards and a 21-0 lead.
A 29-yard field goal by Carson Irvin had Norco up 24-0 midway through the second quarter, and Cougars defensive back Jeremiah Flores’ two interceptions both led to scores late in the second quarter and a 38-0 halftime lead.
Gonzalez scored his rushing touchdown to cap the first drive of the third quarter for Norco, winners of seven of the last eight in the series and 9 of 12 overall.
Illingworth was 9 of 13 for 110 yards and one touchdown and one interception before giving way to Nick Lasher in the second half. Lasher completed 9 of 12 attempts for 104 yards and one touchdown.