By Alex Gonzalez
Covina — Diamond Ranch wideout Blake Davis hauled in two touchdowns and tallied 129 yards receiving in the Panthers 27-0 week three blowout win over Northview Thursday night at Covina-Valley District field.
With the win, the Panthers defense pitched back-to-back shutout wins after losing their season opener to Glendora 20-13.
Davis, who was both Sammie Montiel and Mario Martinez’s go-to target, scored the game’s first touchdown on a fourth and long with 5:07 in the opening frame. Montiel dropped back and was able to find Davis, who slipped behind the Vikings’ defense in the back of the end zone, capping the offense’s second offensive possession.
“Those two guys -Montiel and Martinez- they put in the most work. Sammie and Mario are always putting in work. They always go 110 percent,” said Davis after the game. “I love them both equally, and they’re both great quarterbacks.”
On the ensuing Northview possession, the offense responded to the score by marching down into Diamond Ranch territory. Then, defensive linemen Mark Rendon shed his blocker and sacked James Arellanes, who fumbled to be recovered by the Panthers at their 39-yard line.
D-Ranch and Davis managed to move down the field over eight plays, but their drive ended with Ceasar Velazquez knocking down a 37-yard field goal with just under nine minutes left to play in the first half.
As intermission approached, the Panthers then scored two more touchdowns through the air within two minutes. Montiel connected with Jaden Gresham on a 45-yard laser that led him to the end zone. Then Davis took the screen pass and dodged his way to pay dirt from 52 yards out, giving the Panthers a 24-0 advantage just before the second quarter ended.
For Northview, Arellanes and the offense struggled to put points on the board for his team. After getting a pass attempt intercepted on the team’s first possession and fumbling the ball on their second, it became difficult to complete passes against Diamond Ranch’s secondary.
Viking running backs Cheo Medina and Lewis Madrigal were able to aid Arellanes on offense with a balanced running attack, and when Arellanes had time, he was able to connect with Erik Saiz. However, the unit failed to produce points on the night.
The Panthers ended the night when Velazquez booted a 48-yard field goal pushing the score to 27-0 before the final whistle.
Diamond Ranch will try to add to their winning streak next week when they travel to play Los Altos. As for Northview, they’ll look to rebound next week when they travel to San Dimas.
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