NORCO — It was the kind of game where a big defensive play could completely change the momentum in favor of one team.
Norco junior linebacker Tony Gonzalez made the first play… and then a second one… and added one more for good measure.
Gonzalez intercepted passes in the second and third quarters Thursday and ended another drive with a fourth-down sack, as the Cougars scored 31 unanswered points and remained unbeaten with a 52-31 win over Citrus Valley in a nonleague game.
Norco is 5-0 for the first time since the 2021 spring season that was delayed and also shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We go hard and work for this every day and show what that work ethic does,” Gonzalez said. “I work hard, and I showed that on the field tonight. It’s a blessing. I feel like I played well, but I owe that to my brothers. They put me in spots to make plays.”
The game resembled a track meet early, as the teams traded big plays and three touchdowns apiece over the first 13 minutes.
Norco drove 80 yards on the opening possession, and Julian Medina capped things with a 22-yard touchdown to Blake Wong. Citrus Valley (0-4) answered 4 minutes later, when Dominic Robles connected with Adam Sanchez for a 16-yard scoring strike.
Medina and Wong continued their blazing start, as the duo hooked up for a 33-yard touchdown with 2:48 left in the first period. Norco’s lead was short-lived, however, as Kameron Garcia returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards to once again level the score.
Norco regained the lead in the closing seconds of that opening quarter, as Blake Troelstrup scored on a run from 2 yards out. The Cougars attempted an onside kick, but Citrus Valley linebacker Marciano Mendoza fielded the bouncing ball and returned it 30 yards to Norco’s 21. And four plays later, Robles scored on a 1-yard sneak to help the Blackhawks even the score at 21.
“Two big plays on special teams kept us in this one early,” Citrus Valley coach Kurt Bruich said. “We’ve been having issues in the red zone, but we were able to punch the ball in tonight…. We’re just trying to check off boxes as we get ready for league.”
Citrus Valley’s defense made the first stop of the night, forcing the Cougars to punt with 8:33 remaining in the second quarter. The Blackhawks were unable to capitalize, however, as Gonzalez dropped into coverage and intercepted a pass from Robles.
“Think the first pick was the biggest moment for me,” Gonzalez said. “Our energy was low and that turned everything around.”
Norco surged back in front when Troelstrup scored on an 8-yard run. On the ensuing series, Citrus Valley kept the offense on the field on a fourth-and-10 near midfield. Gonzalez rushed hard on the blitz and chased down Robles for a loss of 11 yards. The Cougars extended their lead to 35-21 less than a minute later when Medina tossed a 1-yard touchdown to Tegan Ogas.
Citrus Valley looked for some momentum at the start of the second half, but Gonzalez came up with his second interception.
Troelstrup added a third scoring run in the third quarter, and Lee White capped the scoring with a 30-yard burst in the fourth.
Medina completed 16 of 21 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns,. Wong finished with seven receptions for 158 yards. Troelstrup had a breakout game with 125 yards on 17 carries, while White added 100 yards on 12 carries for the Cougars.
“We did some pretty positive things on offense tonight,” Norco coach Dan Barlage said. “I would still like to see our run game be a little more physical. We made some mistakes on special teams that kept (Citrus Valley) in the game early on. I really think that if we clean up some of those mistakes, we’re going to be a pretty good football team…. We’re going in the right direction.”
