MidValleySports.Com

Los Altos Quarterback Christian Hacegaba leads the way (Photo by Jorge Lopez)

By Joseph Rodriguez

(Hacienda Heights) – This is the time of year that all high school football teams start to put everything together. All practices, all games, all film study sessions, to try to separate themselves from their competitors. On Friday night it was Los Altos who took a huge step in that direction with a 31-14 win over Diamond Bar on its home turf.

The field at Los Altos did not provide ideal conditions. It was wet and muddy and left a few players on their backs without being touched. It was especially difficult for the Brahmas whose greatest strength is their speed.  It was a game that was physical and winning the battle up front was key. The Conquerors made big plays in the first half to take a lead and then used their ground game  to control the clock and wear down Diamond Bar in the second half to seal the win.

***On the opening kick off Los Altos’ kick landed at the Diamond Bar 25 and it appeared as if the ball would bounce out of bounds. It didn’t and Los Altos fell on it. Diamond Bar’s gaffe set  up a 31 yard field goal to put LA up 3-0 with 9:33 left in the first.

***On the Brahmas first possession, Tyler Peterson threw a pick six to Daniel Valdez at the 7:53 mark for a 10-0 Los Altos advantage.

***Diamond Bar then drove down to the Conqueror six on its next possesion but was stopped on fourth and goal.

***Early in the second LA quarterback Christian Hacegaba had a snap sail over his head and the rolled towards the Los Altos goal line. As the D-Bar defense swarmed for what looked like an apparent safety Hacegaba threw a desperation pass to a wide open Andrew Hernandez who went 63 yards deep into Brahma territory. The drive was capped when Hacegaba found Hernandez again for a seven-yard touchdown for a 17-0 lead.

***Diamond Bar battled back for two second quarter scores. Peterson hit Cordell Broadus for a one yard touchdown and the Brahmas’ quarterback also ran in from six yards out with just 13 seconds left in the first half to slice the lead to 17-14.

***The Conqs put it away in the fourth with two scores.

***Los Altos improves to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in league while Diamond Bar drops to 5-2, 2-1 in the Hacienda.

***Los Altos hosts Rowland next week while the Brahmas will stay home to battle Diamond Bar.