MidValleySports.Com

Daniel Garcia led the way on the ground for the Panthers

(Pomona) The Diamond Ranch Panthers rushed for a combined 286-yards en route to a 25-15 win over the visiting Bonita Bearcats Thursday night at Diamond Ranch High School in the Hacienda League finally for both teams.

The loss puts the Bearcats in a precarious position when it comes to post season play. By way of West Covina’s loss tonight to Los Altos, both Bonita and West Covina have a 3-3 record in league. West Covina does have the head-to-head win but Bonita has a better overall record at 6-4.

*** Daniel Garcia and Zory McThomas did most of the damage on the ground for the Panthers with Garcia getting 170-yards and McThomas 51.

*** It didn’t take long for Bonita to get on the board. On their first offensive play, Jake Payton cut through the Diamond Ranch defense and outraced the Panthers 80-yards to paydirt and the Bearcats first score.

*** With 7:13 left in the first quarter, Xavier Beltran gave the Panthers their first lead of the game on a one yard run.

Jake Payton’s 170-yards and two scores wasn’t enough for Bonita

*** Payton gave Bonita the lead once again on a four yard run with 4:30 left in the first period. The score was set up with a Noah Montoya interception of Beltran at the D-Ranch 25 and return to the four.

*** Both teams missed field goals in the second quarter and the score remained 13-10 going into the half.

*** The Bearcats extended their lead to five on a gift from the Panthers. Lined up in punt formation, a bad snap sailed over the head of Christian Zambrano who then proceeded to boot the ball out of the back of the endzone for a safety.

*** Diamond Ranch took the lead back with 5:33 left in the game. Beltran found Marcus Briscoe in the corner of the endzone on the fade route. The touchdown capped a 15-play, 84-yard drive. The Panthers went for two and Beltran found Garcia just over the goal line to give D-Ranch an 18-15 lead.

*** Beltran put the game away with 1:58 left in the final frame on a one yard plunge finishing off a 42-yard drive. Beltran was a modest five of 12 for 76-yards and the lone touchdown through the air but had the two scores on the ground.

*** After rushing for 159 first half yards and the two scores, Payton only managed 11 second half yards.

*** It was a rough night for Tanner Deibold as the Diamond Ranch defense held him to six completions on 19 attempts and a meager 57-yards.

*** With the win the 9-1 Panthers will be looking for a favorable seed in the Southeast Division playoffs.