Rowland Finishes the Job: Raiders Go 10-0 and Capture First League Title Since 2012

Final Score: Rowland 59, Don Lugo 20

Location: Rowland Heights, CA

Halloween night in Rowland Heights felt electric before kickoff even began. Clouds of navy and gold smoke rolled from the tunnel as the Rowland Raiders charged onto the field behind their horseman with a skeleton-painted horse—and the pounding cadence of the Raider Regiment. It was Senior Night, a league championship on the line, and a chance to make school history.

By the end of the night, they did all three.

Rowland closed out a perfect 10-0 regular season—the first in program history—and claimed its first league crown since 2012, overwhelming Don Lugo 59-20 in front of a packed home crowd.The victory was decisive, complete, and symbolic of the discipline that has carried this team since spring workouts.

Rowland Raiders Celebrates and Undefeated Season and League Title

First Quarter | Early Shock, Swift Answer

Don Lugo landed the opening strike with a 72-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead.The response came immediately.On the first play of the next drive, senior Bryce Johnson (#6) burst through the right side for a 72-yard rushing touchdown, and Aidan Opatkiewicz (#1)’s PAT tied it 7-7.The tone was set: Rowland wasn’t flinching.

Second Quarter | Carrillo’s Takeover

The game turned into the CJ Carrillo (#8) show.On Rowland’s opening possession of the second quarter, CJ Carrillo (#8) powered in a 2-yard touchdown, then converted the 2-point try himself to make it 15-7.

Minutes later, he electrified the stadium again with a 55-yard punt-return touchdown, weaving through defenders before hitting full stride down the sideline.Another 2-point conversion pushed the margin to 23-7.

Don Lugo closed the gap with a 40-yard passing score, but CJ Carrillo (#8) answered instantly with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, then tacking on his third 2-point conversion of the quarter. Rowland entered halftime up 31-14, owning every phase of the game.

Third Quarter | Explosions Continue

If Don Lugo hoped to regroup, Bryce Johnson (#6) and the Raiders had other ideas. On the first offensive series of the half, Bryce Johnson (#6) broke loose again—67 yards to the house—with Aidan Opatkiewicz’s (#1) kick stretching the lead to 38-20.

Moments later, Jose Valadez (#9) dropped a perfect 70-yard strike to Damien Arrieta (#7) for another score. The senior quarterback finished with 182 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball efficiently while commanding the offense.

Fourth Quarter | Defense, Depth, and History

Special teams delivered one more statement play when Ethan Zepeda (#4) burst through the line and blocked a punt, allowing Aidan Opatkiewicz (#1) to scoop it up and sprint ten yards for a touchdown.

To punctuate the night, Jose Valadez (#9) connected with Alex Huerta (#88) on a 7-yard touchdown pass, and Taylor Wright (#20) nailed the PAT for the final point in a 59-20 rout. The defense, led by Jeovany Delgado (#28), Frankie Trujillo (#11), and Fabian Valdez (#5), kept pressure on the Conquistadores throughout, limiting big plays and winning the line of scrimmage.

When the clock hit zero, players rushed midfield, helmets raised, senior and league champions banners waving, and a decade of buildup finally released.

🏆 After the Whistle

Coach Citos Marinez's words from an early-morning May practice echoed back through the moment:

“Big year. Driving up here, that's all I kept thinking about, man. The fourth quarter is about representing this community… You guys go to a high school that’s a one-town team. There’s only one school in Rowland Heights. And that’s you guys.”

After the game, surrounded by families and flashing cameras, Marinez rallied his team once more:

“First season, check. Second season, check. Enjoy tonight, enjoy tomorrow, and then Sunday we get into the third season... Loud and proud! You are the champs, baby!”

One assistant coach summed it up even more bluntly:

“10-0. We didn’t duck. We played 10. We beat 10. Period.”

Stat Leaders

• Passing: Jose Valadez (#9) — 10 of 13, 182 yds, 2 TD

• Receiving: Damien Arrieta (#7) — 1 rec, 70 yd TD | Alex Huerta (#88) — 1 rec, 7 yd TD

• Rushing: CJ Carrillo (#8) — 145 yds, 3 TD (+ 3 two-pt conversions) | Bryce Johnson (#6) — 139 yds, 2 TD

• Defense/Special Teams: Ethan Zepeda (#4) — blocked punt | Aidan Opatkiewicz (#1) — TD return + 6 PATs | Taylor Wright (#20) — final PAT

• Team Totals: 496 overall yards; 6 different players scored points

Final Word

From 6 AM practices in the spring to Halloween night under the lights, this Rowland team didn’t just win games — they rewrote the program’s standard. Ten wins. Zero losses. A league title. And a belief that what’s being built in Rowland Heights is bigger than football.

As the smoke cleared and the scoreboard read 59–20, one message echoed louder than the crowd and the drums:

"Won Not Done."

The Raiders have officially entered the third season — and they’re just getting started.

Next Up | The Third Season Begins: Rowland (10-0) enters the CIF Southern Section Division 9 playoffs as a host school and league champion.

The Raiders will face San Dimas High School on Friday, November 7, at 7 p.m. at Rowland High School.

A win would keep the dream alive—and push this historic season one step closer to immortality.

Players of the Game

Varsity – #8 CJ Carrillo

Frosh/Soph – #18 Ralph Rodriguez

🎥 Watch the Key Plays

Catch the highlight reel of this game right here ⬇️

Source

All stats and game details provided by MaxPreps.com.

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