Pomona quarterback Darreon Lockett created mayhem for the Paraclete defense all night as the Red Devils captured their first CIF title since 1951. (Photo courtesy of Hank Morris Photography)
By Joe Torosian
(Lancaster)- Pomona quarterback Darreon Lockett connected with Desmond Bobo on a crossing pattern that turned into a 75-yard game winning touchdown with 7:06 to play to give the Red Devils their first CIF title since 1951.
Lockett added a 14-yard scoring run with 2:11 left in the fourth quarter to make the final score 37-29. The Pomona triggerman hit on three touchdown passes in a Mid-Valley championship game that saw the lead change hands seven times.
There were turnovers and there were big plays but the contest boiled down to field goals and paydirt. The Spirits split the uprights with three Domingo Albarran field goals, while the Red Devils countered with a whole lot of Lockett and touchdown passes.
The third quarter opened with the teams tied at 17-17 and Paraclete with the ball. From its own 21 Clete pounded the ball into Pomona territory and reached as far as the 15 before settling for a field goal.
On its next possession the Red Devils failed on a fourth and two from their own 37 and the stage was set for the Spirits to take control. Braden Smith busted off a 24-yard run. Then two runs by fullback Ethan Clark moved it to the six.
On third and two, with neither Melquise Stovall or KJ Latu in the backfield, Paraclete quarterback David Schmucker fumbled the ball but recovered it at the 11. Albarran nailed the field goal to make it 23-17 but the Spirits had forfeited a big opportunity.
Four plays into the next Pomona drive Lockett found himself in a comfortable (for him) position. On third and 13 from the 49 Lockett went 34-yards downfield to Shawn Wilson. On the next play he rolled right and threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Bobo that was so perfect it could have landed on a streaking comet a million miles away in space.
A 24-yard run by Stovall and a chop block penalty on the Red Devils helped put Paraclete in business at the Pomona 14 with 11:30 to play in the game. Stovall then shredded several tacklers and scored on a 14-yard to make it a 29-24 game when the two-point attempt failed.
The Red Devils turned the ball over on downs at the Spirits 43 with 10:24 remaining, but three running plays failed to move the chains. Paraclete punted and pinned Pomona at its own eight with 8:26 to play. After moving the ball out to the 25, Bobo caught the pass Red Devil fans have been waiting 63 years to see and took it 75-yards for the touchdown.
The Spirits moved the ball to the Pomona 45 but fumbled with 4:33 to play. two minutes later Lockett was able to convert it into a 14-yard touchdown run.
Now down 37-29, still a one possession game, Paraclete’s Schmucker fumbled after a 9-yard run and the curtain dropped.
After a scoreless first quarter that saw Pomona lose the ball on a fumble and the Spirits come up empty on a fourth and one at the Red Devils seven, Paraclete built a 17-7 lead with 6:01 to play in the second quarter.
After an Albarran field goal, Lockett completed four consecutive passes before Brian Lamb scored on a 1-yard run. The Spirits answered on the kick-off when Braden Smith returned it 73-yards and, eventual, 10-7 lead. Stovall then jumped a route after Lockett hurried a throw on a blitz and returned it 53-yard for a score.
Just went it looked like Paraclete was ready to take control, Pomona got a big kick off return to the Spirits 39. On the first play Lockett went 39-yards to Wilson to close the gap. Mac Jimenez tied the game with a 27-yard field goal with 24 seconds left in the half.
Paraclete and Austin Burnley (#89) were chasing Pomona’s Shawn Wilson all night. (Photo by Hank Morris Photography)
***Since defeating Sierra Canyon in the 2010 CIF finals, Paraclete has lost four consecutive title games; Sierra Canyon (2011), Monrovia (2012), San Dimas (2013), & Pomona (2014)
***Pomona’s Darreon Lockett went 23 of 35 for 386 yards three touchdowns and an interception.
***The Spirits defeated the Red Devils in the second round of the 2013 playoffs 2013.
***This is Pomona’s first CIF title since defeating Monrovia, 26-13, on December 14, 1951 at Mt. San Antonio College. The overflow crowd was estimated to be at 17,000.
***Paraclete’s Melquise Stovall rushed for 107 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown. He also returned an interception 53-yards for another touchdown.
***Paraclete started on the offensive line: LT: Drew Jorgenson, LG: Marcus Goforth, C: Adam Silverman, RG: Nick Falato, RT: Taylor Tuiasosopo
***Pomona started on the offensive line: LT: Alex Arroyas, LG: Christopher Mendez, C: Nicholas Meza, RG: Oliver Deerr, RT: Keeven Watley
***Red Devil receivers: Shawn Wilson 8 catches for 143 yards, Td. Desmond Bobo five catches for 162 yards, 2 Tds.
***”How are you supposed to stop that?”—Former San Dimas HC on the Paraclete sideline after Desmond Bobo turned his crossing pattern into a 75-yard touchdown sprint in the fourth quarter.
Scoring Summary
2nd Quarter
10:02 Paraclete: Domingo Albarran 45-yard field goal
Spirits 3 Red Devils 0
7:53 Pomona: Brian Lamb 1-yard run (Mac Jimenez kick)
Red Devils 7 Spirits 3
7:38 Paraclete: Branden Smith 73-yard kick-off return (Albarran kick)
Spirits 10 Red Devils 7
6:01 Paraclete: Melquise Stovall 53-yard interception return (Albarran kick)
Spirits 17 Red Devils 7
5:39 Pomona: Darreon Lockett 39-yard pass Shawn Wilson (Jimenez kick)
Spirits 17 Red Devils 14
0:24 Pomona: Jimenez 27-yard field goal
Spirits 17 Red Devils 17
Halftime:
Spirits 17 Red Devils 17
3rd Quarter
7:45 Paraclete: Albarran 35-yard field goal
Spirits 20 Red Devils 17
3:07 Paraclete: Albarran 24-yard field goal
Spirits 23 Red Devils 17
1:00 Pomona: Lockett 22-yard pass to Desmond Bobo (Jimenez kick)
Red Devils 24 Spirits 23
4th Quarter
11:22 Paraclete: Stovall 14-yard run (run fails)
Spirits 29 Red Devils 24
7:08 Pomona: Lockett 75-yards to Bobo (pass fails)
Red Devils 30 Spirits 29
2:11 Pomona: Lockett 14-yard run (#17)
Red Devils 37 Spirits 29
Final:
Red Devils 37 Spirits 29
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