San Dimas’ Bobby Rios ran wild against D-Bar Friday night. (Photo by Steven Mercado)
By Steven Mercado
(San Dimas)- The San Dimas Saints used their matchup against the Diamond Bar Brahmas as a chance to make a statement on Friday, Sept. 12 at the San Dimas Sportsplex. The Saints scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and never looked back as they shut down the Brahmas 38-14.
San Dimas exploited two early D-Bar defensive breakdowns in the first quarter to jump ahead 14-0. Senior running back Bobby Rios used his size and power to steamroll defenders and break for long runs. He finished with 11 carries for 197 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Saints offense. Manny Elizalde, also a senior, had 18 rushes for 127 yards. Despite not crossing the goal line during the contest, Elizalde continued to eat up yardage and put San Dimas in prime scoring situations.
The Brahmas struggled to find success on offense. Both of their scores were rushing touchdowns by senior quarterback Tyler Peterson, the second coming with 1:17 left in the game.
*** Tyler Peterson’s game stats: 10-16, 59 yards, 2 interceptions; 11 rushes, 104 yards, TD, fumble lost
*** Senior WR Josh Aguilar and senior TE Blake Lowary were on the receiving end of San Dimas’ first two touchdowns. Aguilar caught a flat pass, got past a defender and had nothing but green ahead of him. Lowary’s TD reception was a 12-yard pass that capped a 10-play drive.
*** Senior RB/DB/K Erick Ware put in an all-around performance with a fumble recovery, an interception and a 26-yard field goal.
*** Excluding turnovers on downs, Diamond Bar committed four turnovers while San Dimas did not commit any turnovers.
*** Diamond Bar HC Marcus Hughes says the Brahmas need to be more physical. “Turnovers were key, but I also think it was the physicality of the game. They were more physical than us. When you play a team like that, if they’re more physical than you, it makes for a long night.”
*** San Dimas did not throw the ball during the second half.
*** Eight different players ran the ball on Friday night: five for the Saints and three for the Brahmas. Of the eight, only Peterson and Rios scored touchdowns.
*** Heading into the fourth quarter, the score was 21-7 in favor of the Saints. San Dimas scored 17 unanswered points in seven and a half minutes.
*** San Dimas Head Coach Bill Zernickow on the key to the success of their running game: “Our offensive line is doing a good job and I think we’re improving every single week. That’s what our goal is. Hopefully when we get to league, we’re able to win league.”
*** Diamond Bar’s starting offensive line: Junior LT David Omana, senior LG Jeff Lin, junior C Blake Goodman, sophomore RG Bryan Kwon, senior RT Christian Perez
*** San Dimas’ starting offensive line: Junior LT Youssef Hanna, senior LG Jonathan Aleriano, senior C Domonic Moronez, junior RG Nathan Reep, junior RT Charles Santisteban
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