This past Friday, November 7th, 2025, the La Mirada Matadores took on the Beckman Patriots in the first round of the Division 8 CIF Playoffs.
To start the game, La Mirada received the ball and started on their own 36 yard line. Coach Mealy decided to start the game with a pass to wide receiver Kaiden Wardlow for a 4 yard gain. But the rest of the drive would be a running back drive as they saw the rest of the action. The offense was playing well and it was a short drive as running back, Josiah Fregoso, took an inside handoff to the endzone for 42 yards. The PAT was good, ending the drive with a score of 7-0. But Beckman would respond as they were able to come up with seven points as well on their first offensive drive, so the score was 7-7 with 5 minutes left to go in the first quarter.
The La Mirada offense took to the field again and were moving the ball as they were able to gain a first down 4 straight plays in a row. The offense was pushed to 3rd and 10 after this streak, but Isaac Cuevas was able to pass the ball to Fregoso for an 18 yard completion. The Matadores were now on the Beckman 1 yard line, so Coach Mealy decided to just run the ball in, and Fregoso was able to score off another inside run for a 1 yard touchdown. The score would stay 14-7 after Beckman’s second offensive drive due to the Mats defense forcing them to 4 and out. However, the punt was fumbled by La Mirada and Beckman was able to recover the ball in better field position. After the fumble recovery, Beckman wasted no time and was able to complete a pass for a touchdown. The game was all tied up at 14-14. The Matadores were able to get 2 more plays in the 1st quarter.
To start the 2nd quarter, La Mirada had a fresh set of downs, but were unable to gain another set and were forced to punt the ball. However, Christian Hecker punted the ball all the way down to Beckman’s 3 yard line, putting their offense in a tough spot to start the drive. The Patriots were able to get out of that dangerous situation and scored another touchdown that was set up by a long run after the catch. The Patriots’ kicker missed the PAT, so the score was 14-20.
After the kickoff return by the Matadores, they were on their own 45 yard line after a big return. The first set of downs resulted in a 4th and 1, but Coach Mealy used a smart tactic to snap the ball on two instead of one in hopes to get the Beckman defense to jump, and it worked. The Matadores had a new set of downs once again. Even though they gained another 1st down set up by a pass completion to an out route, the Beckman defense then pushed the Matadores to 4th down where the Mats were unable to convert for another 1st down.
The LM defense responded as they pushed another 4 and out that was set up by a big sack by linebacker Matt Ybarra. La Mirada received the ball on their own 21 yard line after they called a fair catch from the Beckman punt. Cuevas hit wide receiver Adan Tedrick off of an out route for a 6 yard gain to start the drive. There was another pass to Tedrick for a 12 yard gain during the drive. Cuevas was able to connect with Wardlow for a 14 yard gain, too. Fregoso had a 3 yard run on 4th and 2 to keep the drive alive. But even after a long offensive drive that resulted in a lot of yardage, the Mats were again unable to put more points on the board after the Beckman defense was able to intercept a pass off of a go route in the La Mirada endzone for a touchback. Luckily for the Matadores, there would not be enough time for Beckman to capitalize off of the interception as the 1st half would come to a conclusion.
To start the 1st half, Beckman took the kickoff return to their own 35 yard line. They were able to start the 2nd half off hot with a touchdown pass to put them up two scores, 14-27. The Matadores received the ball on their 39 yard line and were able to make short yardage gains. Fregoso was able to break another run for a second 42 yard touchdown. Now the score was 21-27. Nonetheless, Beckman would not let that settle. Even though the Matador defense was able to push the Patriots offense to 4th and 7, they were able to complete a long pass that put them on the Matador 1 yard line. There was a false start by the Beckman offense, but they were still able to punch the ball in for a 1 yard touchdown after a 5 yard gain off a run out of the wildcat formation.Â
After another kickoff return, the LM offense was able to gain some yardage and a first down, but they were in need of a score. They were unable to do so and the Patriots forced another punt. The Matador defense came back with their own force of a punt for Beckman. La Mirada had the ball back, but after incomplete passes and penalties, Christian Hecker was up again to punt for the Mats. Beckman scored once again to put the score out of reach for the Matadores. 21-41, Beckman. Coach Mealy and the offense tried to make something happen on their next drive. Cuevas was able to complete a long pass to wide receiver Aiden Perez Sanchez, and they would end up in the red zone. The snap was fumbled on 2nd and goal, pushing the offense back to the Beckman 25 yard line. After this, the Beckman defense was able to stop the LM offense to obtain the ball once more. They took a knee and the game was over. 21-41, Beckman.
The La Mirada Matadores played their last game of the 2025 Season.
