By Tim Peterson
(Covina)- Jake Duronslet dashed into the end zone from eight yards out with 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give Covina a 23-18 win over Los Altos Friday night at Covina District Field.
This came after Robert Lopez kicked a 27-yard field goal with a 1:34 left in the fourth quarter to give Los Altos an 18-17 lead.
The Colts got the ball back and after a good return they set up shop at the Los Altos 48. Duronslet then connected with Hines Soto for 35 yards down to the Los Altos eight-yard line. Duronslet took over from there and sprinted across the finish line for the touchdown and a 23-18 lead.
The Conquerors had one last shot and after they had a good kickoff return of their own to the Covina 29-yard line, Daryen Hernandez caught a pass from Diego Castillo and raced down field but was tackled inside the ten-yard line as time expired.
Covina entered the fourth quarter up 10-8 when Duronslet capped a 68-yard drive with a 13-yard run to make it 17-8 with 10:29 left in the quarter. But Los Altos answered with a quick 62-yard march of its own. Castillo hit Giovanni Gaeta for a 10-yard score to make it 17-15.
Gomez’ kick then put the Conqs ahead before the Colts and Duronslet scored last to win it.
The only other scoring came in the first quarter. Los Altos drew first blood The Conquerors drive 8 yards on nine plays their first possession with Castillo and Gaeta connecting on a 23-yard TD pass. Richard Mendoza scored on a two-yard run for the early eight-point lead.
Aiden Spencer booted a 30-yard field goal for Covina on the next series for its first points. Later in the quarter the Colts grabbed the lead when Kwame Parrish went 20 yards for the touchdown. It stayed that way until all the fireworks in the fourth quarter.
The Colts were in the red zone on consecutive series late in the first and early in the second quarter but came away empty handed on a stop and a turnover.
Duronslet threw for 155 yards and had an interception and ran for 97 yards and two scores on 10 carries. Matthew Olivas had 8 catches for 101 yards. Parrish ran for 110 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.
Gaeta hauled in 8 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns for Los Altos.
Covina improved to 5-1 and 1-0 with a win in the Hacienda League opener. Los Altos fell to 3-3 and 0-1.
Thank you, Tim for the coverage!
Let’s go Colts!