Gabrielino will play defending Mission Valley champion South El Monte. The game is on the road at South El Monte High School on Oct. 3. This will be Gabrielino’s final road game of the season. The matchup is massive for both teams, with a possible Mission Valley League title shot on the line. If Gabrielino beats South El Monte, it will secure a CIF bid and control its own destiny.
Gabrielino continues its best start since 2013, entering the game with a 5-1 record. Gabrielino is 3-0 during its four-game road stretch and now aims to finish 4-0. The team will have a bye week, followed by its final three games at home. A Gabrielino win would mark its best start since 2012 at 6-1, and best road start since 2013. South El Monte enters with a 4-2 record and is 1-1 at home, aiming to repeat as Mission Valley champions.
Gabrielino head coach Luis Gutierrez said his three keys to victory are to “play physical, play smart, and play together.”
Senior linebacker Noah Murphy said his keys to the game are “coming out fast to show them who we are, knowing our assignments and having confidence.”
Last year, South El Monte defeated Gabrielino 49-13 at Gabrielino, making this year’s matchup a potential revenge game, now at South El Monte. South El Monte, which ran the table in the Mission Valley League last year with a 7-3 record and a CIF playoff berth, lost in the first round. Gabrielino, on the other hand, had a 4-6 record last season but has rebounded to 5-1, with a possible return to the CIF playoffs for the first time since 2013. South El Monte looks poised to repeat, but will Gabrielino end their hopes for back-to-back CIF and Mission Valley League title appearances?
Both teams played last week. South El Monte struggled against a 1-3 Arroyo team, which pushed them into overtime. South El Monte secured a narrow 35-28 win. Gabrielino overwhelmed Mountain View 49-27. After a 14-0 start, the game tightened, but Gabrielino pulled away in the second half.
Senior quarterback Ely Lobban completed 9 of 16 passes for 284 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Gabrielino’s ground game totaled 24 carries for 220 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 9.2 yards per carry. Junior Allijah Shepherd and senior Marelle Moore each scored a rushing touchdown. Through the air, junior Peter Ruiz caught two touchdown passes, while Moore and junior Jayden Ramos each added one. On defense, senior Ethan Tran returned an interception for a touchdown.
With a win, Gabrielino can improve to 6-1—its best start since 2012—and remain in control of its Mission Valley League title hopes. A loss would mean needing to win out, including a must-win over El Monte, to stay in the title race. South El Monte vs. Gabrielino will determine the path each team takes for the rest of the season.
