Lockett Rescues Red Devils Who Advance to Semi’s

Darreon Lockett leads the Red Devils to the semi-finals. (Photo by Duane Barker)

Darreon Lockett leads the Red Devils to the semi-finals. (Photo by Duane Barker)

By Duane Barker

(Covina) The Pomona Red Devils only led for 24 seconds but it was the final 24 in an epic 62-55 victory over the Northview Vikings in the second round of the CIF Mid Valley Division playoffs Friday night at Covina District Field.
Lockett’s late game heroics came after a missed field goal by Northview’s Alex Calderon set the Red Devils up first and ten at their own 20. Lockett proceeded to drive his team the 80 yards on six plays keyed by big pass plays to Cortha McNair and Denario Critton of 28 and 42 yards.
With the ball sitting on the Viking five, Lockett called his own number and scored on the keeper to push the score to the final of 62-55.
After a short kickoff and return to the Pomona 45, Northview had just 13 seconds to drive the distance for a chance at the win. On second down a hobbled Steven Comstock rolled right and bought some time to get one of his guys open. He fired his last pass of the season towards the endzone but it was picked off at the 10 by none other than the incredible Mr. Lockett.
What makes Locketts’s night even more impressive was Lockett did all his damage in only three quarters of play.
The Vikings got the party started taking their opening drive 60 yards on 12 plays with Comstock getting the score on a four yard run with 5:31 left in the opening frame.
Pomona came right back on their next drive an only needed one play as Aaron Sandoval hit McNair over the middle for an 80-yard touchdown pass.
Sandoval gave the points right back to Northview as he attempted another pass later in the first quarter and Paul Cooper stepped in front of it and returned it 32 yards to put the Vikings up 14-7.
The Red Devils couldn’t get anything going on their next drive but Northview did as Comstock found Elijah Grijalva over the middle for a 29 yard touchdown. The extra point was missed but the Vikings were up 20-7.
Lockett came on in the second quarter and engineered a 10 play, 66 yard drive to cut the lead to 20-13 on a 21 yard strike to Brian Lamb.
Northview scored two consecutive touchdowns both on runs by Comstock to take a 34-13 advantage.
Lamb got the Red Devils back to within two scores late in the first half on a 42 yard run.
Pomona needed a spark as they returned to the field for the second half and that’s exactly what they got. Lamb took the kickoff to start the third quarter, weaved his way through the Viking defenders and outraced everyone to paydirt.
Trailing for the majority of the game, Pomona finally got even with 3:50 left in the third. On the tenth play of a 77 yard drive Lockett put the ball in the air in the direction of Chris Jackson who high pointed the ball and out battled the Viking secondary.
From there the race to the finish was on as both teams traded touchdowns the rest of the game.
Northview had a shot to go up 51-41 early in the fourth but Calderon missed the 25 yard attempt. On the drive Comstock was hammered on a run and injured his left knee.
After the missed field goal and down seven, Pomona went on another six play scoring drive with Lockett finding McNair over the middle from 30 yards away.
Lightning struck again for Northview on the ensuing kickoff when Antwuan Ayers took the ball at his own one started up field, got to the edge and was gone 99 yards to put the Vikings up 55-48.
Pomona only needed two plays to tie the game again when Lockett found Critton deep over the middle for a 81 yard touchdown strike.
With an injured knee, Comstock drove his team nine plays to the Pomona 17 in attempt to regain the lead but the attempt failed setting up the Pomona game winning drive.
*** Lockett finished the game hitting on 16 of 27 passes for 316 yards and five touchdowns. He also was Pomona’s leading ground gainer with 139 yards and another score.
*** On the other side Comstock completed 16 of 13 for 321 yards and three touchdowns but one costly interception. He also added 88 yards and two scores on the ground.
*** Locketts’s favorite target was McNair who hauled in seven balls for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
*** Dominic Ramirez was the leading receiver for the Vikings with seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown.
*** Lamb had three total scores for the Red Devils, one rushing, one receiving and one on the kick return. He added 93 yards rushing as well.
*** Andres Hooper had 53 yards on 17 carries out of the backfield.
*** Jackson caught five passes for 47 yards and a lone score.
*** Antwaun Ayers grabbed five Comstock passes for 109 yards and a touchdown receiving as well as the kick return.
*** Pomona will now travel to Granda Hills to take on Sierra Canyon in the CIF Mid Valley Division Semi-Finals. It will be a rematch of last year’s semi-final match up.
*** “Those guys are good over there (Northview) our guys kept fighting back and that showed a lot of character” commented Pomona head coach Keith Richardson after the game.

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