Bobby Cole and Sierra Canyon run through Pomona and into the Mid Valley Final. (Photo by Duane Barker)
(Granada Hills) The Sierra Canyon Trailblazers and the Pomona Red Devils did battle Friday night in one semi-final of the CIF Mid Valley Division playoffs, a rematch of last years semi-final. This year was totally different from last year as the Trailblazers blasted the Red Devils 65-26 at John Elway Stadium at Granada Hills High School.
Pomona held the potent Sierra Canyon offense to a field goal on the first offensive series of the game but the small victory was short lived as the Trailblazers scored touchdowns on their next four consecutive drives.
Eric Markes got the touchdown barrage started fielding a punt at his own 12. Markes picked up a few blocks got to the edge and was off to the races to paydirt.
The Red Devils cut the lead to 10-7 on the ensuing drive. Darreon Lockett hooked up with Cortha McNair deep down the middle for 53 yards and the score.
The three point deficit was as close as Pomona would get the rest of the contest as Sierra Canyon outscored the Red Devils 48-7 in the remainder of the first half.
Three of the scores came from Bobby Cole on runs of 41, nine and 21 yards respectively while the other scores came via airmail from Niko Harris to Markes, Kohl Holinquest and Dylan Tait.
Pomona show signs of life early in the second period when Lockett connected again with McNair for a 75 yard bolt of lighting.
Down 58-14 with time winding down in the first half, the Red Devils went on a 10 play drive that culminate with a touchdown pass from Lockett to Devione Brooks. The two point conversion attempt failed and the Trailblazers went into the locker room with a comfortable 38 point advantage.
Sierra Canyon got their final touchdown of the evening with 7:11 left in the third period when Cole found a crease and was gone 89 yards to complete a one play drive.
Sierra Canyon maintained their 45 point advantage until 4:54 left in the final frame. Pomona’s Reinald Gonzalez blocked a Trailblazer punt, scooped it up and scored from 15 yards away. Another two point attempt failed to bring the final score to 65-26.
*** Cole finished the night with 267 yards on the ground with four touchdowns.
*** Brian Lamb was Pomona’s leading ground gainer with 78 yards on seven carries.
*** Harris was efficient through the air with 241 yards while connecting on eight of 10 passes with four scores.
*** Lockett had an up and down night completing only 16 of 40 passes for 226 yards and had three touchdowns. The down side was two costly interceptions. He also added 60 yards on 14 carries.
*** Markes led all receivers with 154 receiving yards and had two touchdown catches and a the punt return.
*** McNair led the Red Devil receivers with 143 yards on four catches with two scores.
*** Tait only had two catches for Sierra Canyon but both were for 25 yards and one was a touchdown.
*** Devione Brooks added five grabs for 49 yards and a lone score for Pomona.
*** Holinquest was held to only one catch but it was for a 24 yard touchdown for the Trailblazer’s but was also a menacing force on defense pressuring both Lockett and Aaron Sandoval in the Pomona backfield.
*** Sierra Canyon will travel to San Dimas next Friday night to take on the Saints in the Mid Valley Division Final.
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