Roosevelt High School, feared for its passing attack the last three years under quarterback Jesse Diaz, is now doing much of its damage on the ground.

The Rough Riders (2-0) turned in another solid rushing performance last Friday in a 27-13 nonleague victory over neighborhood rival Wilson (0-1).

Much of the damage was done by Jesse Lira, who carried 20 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns. He scored on a 10-yard run in the second quarter and a 15-yarder in the third.

In two games, Lira has rushed for 271 yards and is averaging 9.0 yards per carry.

“That was probably the best rushing effort we’ve had in the four years I’ve been here,” Roosevelt coach Javier Cid said of Lira’s performance. “He had several runs of 20 yards or more.”

Elgin Rosales added 54 yards and a TD (25-yarder) on six carries and quarterback Brandon Sifuentes had 50 yards and a score on eight attempts as the Rough Riders piled up 271 yards on the ground. Sifuentes passed sparingly, going 3-of-8 for 33 yards.

After Wilson drove 75 yards following the opening kickoff to take a 7-0 lead, Roosevelt got untracked in the second period and scored on four consecutive possessions to go up, 27-7.

Defense was also critical to the victory.

Cornerback Jonathan Mariscal, who shut out Alhambra’s standout wide receiver Mitchell Crockom the week before, held Wilson’s Cole Martinez in check, limiting him to a pair of catches.

“We went into the game wanting to keep him at bay,” Cid said.

Cid cited Armando Perez’s interception in the second quarter as one of the game’s turning points.

Jeffrey Simon had a fumble recovery in the third quarter that led to Lira’s second touchdown.

Linebacker Rene Garcia had nine tackles (five solos) and Steve German caused a fumble. Mariscal had eight tackles and reserve end Ricardo Marroquin had two sacks.

The Rough Riders are at Contreras Friday.

“We’ve got to get our passing game going and keep the running game going,” Cid said.

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Salesian (2-0), which has outscored its first two opponents by a combined 83-6, is at 1-0 Cantwell Sacred Heart Friday.

In last week’s 34-0 win over Marshall, the Mustangs were led by senior running back Evan Bracken, who carried 14 times for 202 yards and a TD.

Matthew Fernandez completed eight of 16 passes for 144 yards and two scores. Gilbert Dominguez (five catches for 61 yards) and Michael Lim (two for 51) caught the TD passes.

Michael Rodriguez kicked a pair of field goals, including a 46-yarder, for the Mustangs.