Baldwin Park Dominates El Monte with a commanding 30–0 win over the host El Monte Lions at El Monte Stadium on August 20, 2025, marking the Braves’ first victory of the season and dropping El Monte to 0–2 .
Lions vs Braves Defense Stays Strong
The Braves defense set the tone early, forcing three-and-outs on El Monte’s first two possessions. Linebackers Connor Reyes and Miguel Santos combined for 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, halting any momentum from the Lions . Baldwin Park recorded two interceptions in the first half, one by cornerback Isaac Flores at the Lions’ 25-yard line and another by safety Jordan Kim near midfield. Each takeaway led to scoring drives that extended the Braves’ lead before halftime.
Baldwin Park’s offense capitalized on the defensive stops. Quarterback Luis Ramirez completed 12 of 18 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns, both to wide receiver Anthony Nguyen in the second quarter. Running back Diego Morales added 85 yards on 16 carries, including a 20-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter . The Braves’ balanced attack controlled the clock, holding possession for 32 minutes.
El Monte’s offense struggled against Baldwin Park’s front seven. The Lions managed just 58 rushing yards on 24 attempts and went three-and-out eight times. Quarterback Javier Cruz went 8 of 21 for 67 yards, with one sack and two hurried throws that forced incompletions. El Monte’s lone red-zone appearance ended on fourth-down inside the Braves’ 15-yard line.
Support from the stands was strong for both teams. A crowd of nearly 1,200 cheered as marching bands performed in the fourth quarter. Fans from both schools stayed after the game for joint photo opportunities, emphasizing community spirit despite the lopsided score.
Lions vs Braves Schedule and Outlook
Baldwin Park returns home to face Ontario High School at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2. After a week’s rest, the Braves will host rival West Covina on September 12. Coach Maria Delgado said she plans to build on the balanced performance and improve red-zone execution in practice sessions .
El Monte heads to Mountain View High School at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, September 1. The Lions open league play on September 11 against El Rancho. Head coach Tony Parker acknowledged the need to tighten blocking schemes and sharpen special-teams play before league games begin .
Looking Ahead
The Lions vs Braves rivalry has a long history, with past matchups deciding league titles and playoff berths. Baldwin Park’s shutout win adds a new chapter while highlighting the Lions’ work ahead. As the season progresses, each coach aims to develop young talent and keep athletes focused on both performance and academic success.
