Imperial Tigers Dominate Vincent Memorial, Securing 32-7 Victory during this Friday’s game.
Imperial, CA — The Imperial High School football team demonstrated their prowess with a decisive 32-7 nonleague victory over Vincent Memorial Catholic High on Friday, August 30, at Shimamoto-Simpson Stadium.
The Tigers, now 2-0 on the season, are a solid contender in the CIF-San Diego Section Division III. Their 2024 campaign ended in the quarterfinals with a narrow loss to Fallbrook, but this year’s team appears ready to push further. Meanwhile, the Scots (1-1 overall), coming off a 2024 Division V championship game appearance, are contending with a challenging start to their season, exacerbated by a string of injuries at the quarterback position.
Vincent Memorial’s offensive struggles were evident from the outset, as they were forced to field their fourth quarterback of the season due to injuries. Opening-week starter Jose Luis Wong was sidelined with a knee injury, which led senior tailback Roberto Carranza to take on the role of quarterback. Carranza had his own difficulties, suffering an injury in the second half that brought junior Axel Cervantes into the quarterback position after playing in a junior varsity game the previous day.
On the opposite side of the field, Imperial’s offensive lineup, led by senior quarterback Jayden Ayala, found success early and often. Ayala completed 175 yards through the air and threw two touchdowns, showcasing his connection with freshman receiver Anthony Hellum Jr. and junior Mario Gaxiola. Freshman wingback Deren Hueso was a standout performer, rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
The Tigers wasted no time in establishing their dominance. Their opening drive, a 65-yard march in 10 plays, culminated in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ayala to Hellum Jr., putting Imperial on the scoreboard with 6:14 left in the first quarter. Although Vincent Memorial quickly answered with a 62-yard touchdown run by Carranza, giving them a brief 7-6 lead, the Tigers swiftly regained control.
A 40-yard touchdown pass from Ayala to Gaxiola late in the first quarter pushed Imperial ahead 12-7, a lead they would not relinquish. Hueso took over in the second quarter, breaking away for a 71-yard touchdown run and catching a two-point conversion pass, extending the Tigers’ lead to 20-7. He later capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, giving Imperial a commanding 26-7 advantage at halftime.
Imperial’s defense shined in the second half, with junior Adrian Cortez intercepting Cervantes’ first varsity pass and returning it 24 yards for a touchdown, sealing the game with a 32-7 lead. The Scots struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, fumbling at Imperial’s 1-yard line and later throwing another interception on a drive that had reached the Tigers’ 10-yard line.
Both teams will return to action on Friday, September 6. Vincent Memorial will look to rebound as they travel to face El Cajon Valley High at 7 p.m., while Imperial will aim to continue their winning streak in Yuma against Cibola High, with kickoff also set for 7 p.m.