Ryan Gibson (white) eludes Garrett Horine (green) for the game winning score. Photo by Anne Cypress.
(La Verne)- In a game not for the faint of heart, Diamond Ranch quarterback Gus Viramontes connected with Ryan Gibson on a 30-yard slant play with seventeen seconds remaining to give the Panthers a much needed 36-29 win over Miramonte League rival Bonita.
“We play a tough preseason,” said Diamond Ranch head coach Roddy Layton. “I know how games to win to get into the playoffs. We are in the latter part of the season where we have to win and tonight we found a way to that.”
The game saw four lead changes in the final 4 and half minutes and saw both teams put up 34 points in the fourth quarter. The game wasn’t decided until the Viramontes strike to Gibson.
The victory propelled the Panthers (2-6) to a 1-1 record in league and second place in the tough Miramonte league. The loss dropped Bonita to 1-2 in league and a tie for third-place with Los Altos.
With the Bearcats missing six of their two-way starters, it appeared to be a long night as Diamond Ranch jumped on the shorthanded Bonita team with two quick scores early in the first quarter. Both scores were courtesy of Gibson who made a living of perfecting the slant route for nine and 61-yards respectively.
After going behind by 13 points, the Bearcats would on the next series when Kenneth Calvin ran in a short one-yard run. The series was highlighted with a 31-yard post play to Codey Sykes from Garrett Pendleton.
Pendleton had a coming out party against Diamond Ranch. Photo Anne Cypress.
Diamond Ranch would go into the half leading 13-10.
With both teams offenses sputtering, it was a special teams miscue that gave the Panthers a second life late in the third quarter while leading by three when Zach Braumgard muffed a punt that was recovered by Diamond Ranch.
Two plays later, Panthers running back Amari Staten (nine carries for 118 yards) burst through a hole up the middle for a 58-yard touchdown. Jacoby Carter would run in a two-point conversion to extend the lead to eleven.
Bonita would answer, but not before a delay of thirty minutes when Braumgard was injured with 2:27 remaining in the third quarter with the Bearcats driving. The injury occurred as Braumgard was brought down after a 24-yard pass play. Pendleton would score six plays later on a quarterback keeper to cut the score to 21-16.
“These kids have seen seven two-way players injured this season,” said Bearcats head coach Eric Podley. “they know it is part of the game and also wanted to win the game for Zach.”
Bonita got their first and only lead of the game with 4:20 to play in the game when Pendleton eluded three Diamond Ranch rushers and found Josh Yepez all alone in the end zone for a nine-yard strike.
The lead was short lived as the Panther would answer quickly when Viramontes found Gibson on a seam route for 69-yards that also garnered a horse collar flag to give the quick strike Diamond Ranch offense a first and goal on the five. Viramontes would score on the next play.
The Bearcats would tie the score with 1:15 to play when Deron Holmes (26 carries for 105 yards) ran the ball in from one-yard out.
DR's Gus Viramontes (8) eludes Bonita's Tyler Cortez (58). Photo by Anne Cypress.
Viramontes went seven of eleven for 204 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 66 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. While, Gibson finished the evening with six catches and 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Pendleton had a coming out party for Bonita as he went 24 of 37 for 325 yards and a touchdown. He would throw two interceptions on the night. He found Andrew Rocha eight times for 77 yards and no touchdowns.
Bearcat receiver Matt Gelalich finished the night with four catches for 96 yards to lead time in receiving yards.
Diamond Ranch 13 0 8 15 36
Bonita 7 3 0 19 29
SCORING:
DR – Ryan Gibson 9 pass from Gus Viramontes (Jeffrey Stamp kick)
DR – Gibson 61 pass from Viramontes (Stamp kick)
B – Kenneth Calvin 1 run (Andrew Rocha kick)
B – Rocha 32-yard field goal
DR – Amari Staten 58 run (Jacoby Carter run)
B – Garret Pendleton 1 run (run failed)
B – Josh Yepez 9 pass from Pendleton (pass failed)
DR – Viramontes 5 run (Viramontes run)
B – Deron Holmes 1 run (Rocha kick)
DR – Gibson 30 pass from Viramontes (Stamp kick)
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