D-Ranch HC Roddy Layton accepts "The Mayor's Trophy" on behalf of the Panthers
By Matt Schuler
(Diamond Bar)- When comparing two diamonds, the one that shines brighter typically catches the eye of the beholder; which was definitely the case when Diamond Ranch visited neighboring rival Diamond Bar on Friday night.
Nick Gibson rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns, Lucan Perry added a late ground game score, and Diamond Ranch claims the first annual Mayors Cup after defeating cross-town rival and Hacienda league foe Diamond Bar, 31-19, at Holmes Memorial Stadium.
Trailing by five with just under four minutes left to play in the game, Diamond Bar quarterback Henry Omana look poised to rally a comeback with time for one last drive. Then his next pass was deflected and intercepted by D.R defensive back Chris Miller, who took it 47 yards to the house to extend the lead to a two possession game and secured the victory for the Panthers.
“That was huge,” said Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton. “Game on the line, every one says got to make a play, fortunately enough Chris Miller was able to pick it.”
Omana finished a less than stellar night through the air, completing only 8 of 18 pass attempts for 72 yards and was not in sync with his arsenal of receivers. Tyler Brown, who carried the ball the majority of the night for the Brahmas, scored on a 11-yard burst up the middle to open the fourth quarter, bridging the gap to a 24-19 deficit.
After DB got on the board first, Diamond Ranch’s Gibson responded by capping back-to-back drives with two five yard touchdowns on consecutive possessions, to give the Panthers a 14-6 lead with 1:31 to play in the first quarter.
Brahmas kicker Brian Drulias displayed a big boot and converted two field goals of 41 and 36-yards. Drulias 41-yarder with 9:57 in the second brought the Brahmas to within five, 14-9, but thats as close as they would get.
“These players grow up playing in Diamond Bar Pop Warner, Diamond Bar Junior All-American,” coach Layton elaborated. “They’re friends who are playing each other. Its not a ugly rivalry, Its a good rivalry where both teams are coming together.”
Diamond Ranch is now 2-0 in Hacienda league play and 3-3 overall after starting the season 0-3 and will take on Los Altos next with West Covina in the visible distance.
Diamond Bar falls to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in league. The Brahmas have a bye week coming up.
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