A Star is Born: Nick Bueno Puts On A Show In Monrovia High Football Win

What a football performance from Monrovia High quarterback Nick Bueno, who surpassed 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in the same game on Sept. 17 – an extremely rare achievement and a great launch party for the school's sparkling, refurbished stadium.

In a 34-7 nonleague victory over visiting Arcadia (0-2), Bueno completed 10 of 15 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

So effective was Bueno and Monrovia's team speed on offense and defense that the Wildcats (1-1) were able to overcome nine penalties for 85 yards.

"It was more than a game tonight. It meant a lot to our kids to win in our brand-new stadium," Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox said. "I think we moved the ball well. I was very happy with the way our offense played, and our defense played great. They really shut down what Arcadia was trying to do."

Arcadia's Myles Carr, fighting a heavy pass rush, completed 13 of 28 for 78 yards and one touchdown, compared to 310 yards and three touchdowns the week before. Ace receiver Taylor Lagace, often double covered, was limited to three catches for eight yards after totaling 13 for 154 last game.

"We didn't play our best football," Arcadia coach Jon Dimalante said. "They were doubling Taylor and we dropped some balls. Monrovia's defensive line really limited our running game. These are things we are going to have to improve upon."

Bueno showed great speed, scoring on a 53-yard run in the first half and a 78-yarder in the second.

"Nick's a competitor. Last week, I think he pushed a little too much. He kept trying to do too much," Maddox said. "This week, he relaxed himself. He played like himself."

Monrovia opened with a six-play, 64-yard drive, culminating with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Bueno to Jay Henderson.

Bueno added a 53-yard touchdown with a burst through the middle, then Arcadia scored on David Maldonado's 28-yard reception with six seconds left in the second quarter to make it 13-7 at the half.

Monrovia's was back in business when Adrian Velasco recovered an Arcadia fumble  to set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Christian Blanco.

Then Bueno again found space up the middle for a back-breaking 78-yard run that pushed the lead to 27-7.

Henderson had four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns.