The San Pedro Pirates (4-0) led the entire game against the Heritage Patriots (1-4) and even though Heritage tried to claw their way back, San Pedro was able to lock them up down the stretch in a 21-16 victory in San Pedro on Friday night.
Senior Receiver Robert Sarmiento bolted for a 25-yard TD out of a Wildcat play to put San Pedro up 21-9, with 3:56 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“Rob [Robert Sarmiento] brings it to the table every single week,” said San Pedro Head Coach Corey Miller. “Every time his feet touch the grass he’s ready to go, and pound for pound is probably the toughest player in the L.A. City Section.”
Within 20 seconds, Heritage answered right back.
Heritage Senior Running back Jason Chupany drove for a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-16 with 3:36 minutes remaining in the game.
On third down with 13 yards to go, San Pedro threw an interception to Senior Linebacker Joseph Nunez to give Heritage one final drive for the lead.
It was now, or never.
On fourth down with 9 yards to gain on their own 39-yard line, Heritage went for a run, but came up short and turned it over on downs at the 1:20 minute mark.
That was all she wrote.
Coach Miller credits the halftime adjustments to his team’s win.
“Well, I think we came in at halftime and made some good halftime adjustments and that’s a quality program over there. They played some great competition, and by far the best team that we’ve played this season. So, this is exactly what we need to get us ready for the league opener.”
San Pedro Pirates take on the Banning Pilots at home next Friday, October 1, at 7 pm in their league opener.
