Justin Fa'aola of Los Altos ran over Diamond Ranch for 162 yards and a touchdown
(Pomona) – Los Altos played old fashioned smash mouth football in a 27-14 win over Diamond Ranch Friday night in Hacienda League play.
“They beat us the way I would have liked to beat them,” said Diamond Ranch Coach Roddy Layton. “They played power football.”
The power came in the form of the Conquerors 6’0” 240 pound fullback Justin Fa’aola who ran over the Panthers for 162 yards and a touchdown. It also came with Scott Tibbs who rushed for 75 yards and a score. He also caught a touchdown pass from Shane Virnala.
“They’re a one-two punch, a real one-two punch,” said Los Altos Coach Dale Ziola. “I’m so proud of our guys. They have exceeded expectations. They deserve all the love and credit possible.”
Los Altos struck first late in the first quarter when Virnala hit Tibbs with a screen pass and Tibbs turned it into a 34 yard touchdown.
The Panthers got even early in the second quarter. They drove 67 yards on 11 plays with Isiah Ramirez scoring on a one yard keeper.
Los Altos took the lead into halftime when Fa’aola shrugged off half of the Diamond Ranch defense on his way to a 71 yard touchdown run. He appeared to be stopped three different times but kept his feet and rumbled in for the score.
Ramirez fumbled on Panthers’ first possession of the third quarter and the Conqs took over on the D-Ranch 37. Juan Sanchez then booted a 37 yard field goal for a 17-7 lead.
The Panthers went three and out and Los Altos scored again. Tibbs hit the corner, broke a tackle and crossed the goal line from 33 yards out and suddenly it was 24-7 and an uneasy feeling was coming over the Panther faithful.
The Diamond Ranch offense continued to struggle and Los Altos answered again with another 37 yard boot from Sanchez early in the fourth for a 27-7 lead.
The Panthers were forced to air it out and Ramirez finally hooked up with Tommy Pardo for a 22 yard touchdown strike with 6:59 left.
But Fa’aola, Tibbs, Virnala and company burned out the clock the rest of the way. Virnala threw an interception late in the contest but the Panthers were unable to take advantage.
For Diamond Ranch, Nick Gibson rushed for 95 yards on 14 carries but it wasn’t nearly enough to counteract the duo of Fa’aola and Tibbs.
“Los Altos is a much improved team and that’s a credit to their coaching staff. But for us it’s not about who we play but it’s about us. We need to play better,” Layton added.
Los Altos improved to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in league. D-Ranch fell to 3-4 and 1-2.
LA 7 7 10 3 27
DR 0 7 0 7 14
1st Qtr:
LA 1:28 Tibbs 34 yd pass from Virnala (Juan Sanchez Kick)
2nd Qtr:
DR 8:51 Ramirez 1 yd run (Cameron Hunter Kick)
LA 4:39 Fa’aola 71 yd run (Sanchez Kick)
3rd Qtr:
LA 4:59 Sanchez 37 yd FG
LA Tibbs 33 yd run (Sanchez Kick)
4th Qtr:
LA 9:01 Sanchez 37 yd FG
DR 6:59 Pardo 22 yd pass from Ramirez (Hunter Kick)
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