MidValleySports.Com

Kris Saris and Jacob Gallegos were a one-two punch for San Dimas but the Saints came up short.

By Tim Peterson

(San Dimas) – San Dimas fell behind by two scores early in the third quarter and could never catch up in a 40-35 loss to Paramount Friday night in the first round of the Division 7 CIF playoffs.

The game was tied at halftime at 14 with both teams scoring a touchdown in the first and second quarters. Each side put together long drives on their possessions that ended in scores. The Saints went up 7-0 on their first possession and then 14-7 in the second quarter but Paramount matched them score for score.

The Pirates then exploded out of the gate in the third quarter. First they put together a quick six-play, 80-yard drive with Jerimiah Boyette hauling in a 41-yard touchdown pass from Ocho Quinonez. The extra point attempt was blocked leaving Paramount up 20-14.

On the Saints next possession Adam Damato was hit, the ball popped loose and Paramount fell on it at the San Dimas 27. Two plays later and just 39 second after the previous touchdown, Derrick Jackson scored on a 16-yard jaunt. Just like that Paramount was up 27-14 with 9:13 left in the third quarter. San Dimas battled back but Paramount never gave up the lead.

Less than three minutes later Jacob Gallegos broke off a 62-yard touchdown for San Dimas to cut the lead to 27-21.

Paramount countered with a seven-yard touchdown run by Jonah Gray to finish a five-play drive and the lead was back to 13 at 34-21.

San Dimas quarterback Kris Saris looks for an open receiver.

San Dimas and Gallegos fired right back. Gallegos took a quick pass in the flat from Kris Saris and scampered through the Pirates defense for 53 yards to paydirt. Again the Saints were back within six at 34-28 as the third quarter came to an end.

Paramount came up with another big play of its own. Boyette got behind the San Dimas secondary, grabbed a pass from Quinonez and turned it into a 69-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

The Saints had one more bullet in the rifle. Mikey Baeza rumbled and stumbled through the Paramount defenders for a 39-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 40-35 with 9:02 left.

San Dimas had one last shot when Paramount had a bad snap on a punt attempt setting up the Saints at the Pirate 36-yardline with 3:46 left. But the Saints were stopped on fourth down when a Saris pass fell incomplete with 2:06 left in the contest.

Paramount was able to run out the clock from there and escape with the victory.

Gallegos had a big night for San Dimas running for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and catching three passes for 79 yards including the 62-yard score. Saris threw for 151 yards and two scores.

For Paramount Boyette had seven receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Derrick Jackson had 18 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown.

San Dimas finished the season with an overall record of 8-3 while Paramount, now 10-1, advances to the second round of the Division 7 playoffs.

PA 7 7 20 6 40

SD 7 7 14 7 35