Walnut retains Branding Iron for another year.
By Johnathan Saller
(Diamond Bar) – The Mustangs didn’t start fast, but they finished like thoroughbreds in a 34-7 drubbing over Diamond Bar at Holmes Memorial Stadium. Walnut’s win laid claim to the Branding Iron for the second straight year Friday night.
The turning point came with the game tied late in the second quarter. Diamond Bar (4-3) punted the ball to Walnut (3-3) return man Jason Tsukada. Tsukada casually let the ball bounce to him as if he was going to let the ball die at the 38-yard line. With Brahamas swarming toward him, he picked up the rock and darted straight ahead for an easy 68-yard score.
“That was definitely a turning point, it’s a gutsy call for him to pickup that ball,” head coach Michael O’Shields said.
Mustangs quarterback Brandon Roach paced his team on 17 of 27 passing for 204-yards with 60-yards rushing on four carries including an 11-yard scamper.
Receiver Aubrey Coleman scored Walnut’s first touchdown, jumping over the line for a two-yard score. Coleman finished with 68 rushing yards and 43-yards receiving, Coleman came out of the game midway through the fourth with a shoulder injury.
Diamond Bar’s loan score came on an eight minute drive led by quarterback Andrew Cameron’s six passes for 45-yards. Cameron’s 14-yard touchdown run came when protection broke down and he rushed to the right edge and cut the corner to paydirt giving the Brahmas an early lead in the second.
The Walnut defense smothered Diamond Bar the rest of the night forcing two turnovers and allowing zero points in the second half.
“After last week at Diamond Ranch…I was real proud of our guys, they came out and played a full four quarters and we’ve been telling them good things will happen if they do that,” coach O’Shields said.
Next week Walnut travels to Bonita (6-0) and Diamond Bar travels to Rowland (4-2) to try and right the ship following three straight losses.
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