Montbello is feeling the Love.
Fresh off regaining his eligibility after transferring from East, running back Brandon Love – who is a write-in on the roster – rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns Thursday as the Warriors crushed Thomas Jefferson 55-19 in a Class 5A Denver Prep League game.
Love, a junior, scored on runs 49, 38 and 50 yards at All-City Stadium as the Warriors (6-2, 5-0) won their fifth straight game and third straight over the Spartans (4-4, 4-1).
“The line stepped up,” Love said. “I was just going through the holes.”
Montbello senior running back Marquise Enoch also had success as he rushed for 121 yards and four touchdowns.
Coach Oliver Lucas said Love’s bruising style and Enoch’s nimble speed reminded him of the “Thunder and Lightning” of Southern California’s LenDale White – a former South standout – and Reggie Bush.
“It’s really balanced us out,” Lucas said of the Warriors’ newfound backfield depth. “That’s the good thing. We’ve got a good 1-2 punch.”
Montbello’s ground game allowed it to overcome six turnovers, which included four interceptions from quarterback Christopher Smith. He finished with 130 yards passing and a 26-yard TD pass to R.J. Sanders in the third quarter.
The Spartans, however, were not much better, turning the ball over five times.
“We knew coming in, if we turned the ball over we we’re going to get beat,” TJ coach Dan Turnbull said.
Running back Nigel Nelson led the Spartans with two touchdowns and 136 yards rushing on 28 carries.
The Warriors never trailed, leading 14-0 after the first quarter and 21-7 at halftime.
TJ quarterback Korey Askew scored on a 5-yard run to make it 28-13 in the third quarter before the Warriors unloaded in the fourth, scoring four times on runs longer than 20 yards. Three of Montbello’s TDs came in the final four minutes.
Montbello’s offensive line was dominant, and its receivers were effective blocking down field. Defensively, the Warriors harassed Askew, intercepting him once and limiting the senior to minus-7 yards on 12 carries.
Montbello 14 7 7 27 – 55
Thomas Jefferson 0 7 6 6 – 19
M – Love 49 run (Gorham kick). M – Enoch 23 run (Gorham kick). M – Enoch 9 run (Gorham kick). TJ – Nelson 1 run (Kane kick). M – Sanders 26 pass from Smith (Gorham kick). TJ – Askew 5 run (kick blocked). M – Love 38 run (Gorham kick). M – Enoch 21 run (kick blocked). TJ – Nelson 1 run (run failed). M – Love 50 run (Gorham kick). M – Enoch 45 run (Gorham kick).
