Diamond Ranch HC Roddy Layton kisses the Cup
By Tony Solorzano
(Pomona) – Diamond Ranch scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to erase a 15-14 halftime deficit and went on to roll over Diamond Bar 50-22 Saturday night at Ganehsa High’s Nancy McCracken Stadium, capturing the Diamond Bar Mayor’s Cup.
It was a happy occasion for Panther Head Coach Roddy Layton who was also celebrating his birthday, especially since he knew exactly what he wanted this year.
“I told my family that if we beat Diamond Bar, The Cup is all I wanted,” said an elated Layton after receiving the cup from Diamond Bar Mayor Ling-Ling Chang. “That’s all I wanted this year.” Layton would later place a celebratory kiss on the Cup.
The Brahmas (2-5, 1-2) had hoped to rebound from their loss last week to Rowland, but seven turnovers, five in the second half, doomed their defense of the Cup, in it’s second year of existence for the new intra-city rivalry game. The Panthers (4-2, 1-1) took advantage of the bye week to prepare for the game, and the preparations worked out perfectly.
Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the first quarter, but in the second, a blown pitch by the Brahmas opened the door for the Panthers to take the lead, which they did on Daniel Salguero’s three-yard run with about seven minutes left in the half. giving the Panthers a 14-7 lead. However, the Brahmas took the lead back with 35 seconds left in the half as they capped a 34-yard drive with a four-yard run by Tyler Brown. But on the point after attempt, kicker Nolan Luzzi took the snap directly and immediately tossed the ball to Cordell Broadus, who was all alone in the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion and the 15-14 halftime lead.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point for the Panthers, as they exploded for three scores, including two that came off Diamond Bar turnovers inside their own 20-yard line. The Panthers took the lead on a 21-yard run by Salguero with 7:50 left in the quarter. The point after attempt was pushed back due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and Luzzi’s kick sailed wide right, giving the Panthers a 20-15 lead.
On the kickoff, Broadus caught the ball with one foot inside the end zone, forcing the touchback to the 20-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Daniel Garcia stripped and picked up the ball, returning it 22 yards for the touchdown. However, the two point conversion attempt fell a half-yard short of the goal line, giving the panthers the 26-15 lead.
Once again, Broadus received the kickoff and out a foot into the end zone, forcing another touchback. This time, quarterback Tyler Peterson fumbled the snap, which was recovered by the Panther defense, and two plays later, William Bryan rush from 10 yards out for a third touchdown, giving the Panthers a 33-15 lead.
The Brahmas would score one more time as Peterson connected with Kanya Bell for a 51-yard score, pulling to within 11 points, 33-22, with 5:43 left in the quarter.
In the fourth, the panthers iced the game with Luzzi’s 19-yard field goal and scores by Bryan and Salguero. The Brahmas attempted one more drive for a score, but was intercepted for the second time with 3:10 left in the game.
Bryan rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, 130 of those yards coming in the second half. Peterson threw for 308 yards on 18 of 28 pass attempts, but was intercepted twice, both coming in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers travel to Los Altos to take on the Conquerors while the Brahmas hope to end their two-game losing streak when they Host Walnut at Diamond Bar High.
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