MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Covina) – Covina took the lead with just 13 seconds left in the first half and then made it stand up the rest of the way in a 42-32 win over Diamond Bar Thursday night at Covina District Field.

There were five lead changes in the first half but when Joaquin Barragan blasted in from the one-yard line to give Covina a 21-17 lead with 13 seconds left in the second quarter, it was the final change of the night. The Colts never relinquished the advantage.

Barragan’s score was set up when the Colts pulled off a little trickery on a fake field goal attempt at the Diamond Bar 17-yard line. Covina lined up for the kick but instead it was a pass to Rey Marquez who rumbled down to the one-yard line. From there Barragan pounded it in and the Colts took the four-point lead into the half.

Diamond Bar scored first on its first possession on a 22-yard field goal by Brian Vu. The Colts countered early in the second quarter with a one-yard run by Joseph Rangel.

A quick drive by the Brahmas ended with a 7-yard touchdown run by Henry Liang for a 10-7 lead. Covina came back when Jake Duronslet hit Adrian Rachal for a 32-yard touchdown with 7:25 left in the quarter to make it 14-10 Colts.

Diamond Bar’s Kai Jenkins, who had a huge first half, hauled in a 11-yard TD pass from Quinton Mendoza with 5:16 left in the second quarter to put the Brahmas back up 17-14.

Barragan’s score then sent the teams into the break with the Colts sitting on top of a four-point lead.

Covina took immediate control driving 77 yards on 9 plays to open the third quarter. Abraham Perez grabbed a 24-yard touchdown pass from Duronslet for a 28-17 lead. The Colts never looked back.

Mendoza tossed a 29-yard scoring strike to Vu later in the third quarter and Isaac Inusuasti caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Mendoza with just 48 seconds left in the game.

However early in the fourth Duronslet used his legs to score on a 10-yard jaunt. With 5:54 left in the contest Barragan was on the receiving end of a 4-yard touchdown throw from Duronslet that gave the Colts a 42-24 advantage that iced it for the Colts.

Covina had over 300 total yards. Duronslet completed 14 of 19 for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception. Perez caught 7 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. Rangel led the ground game with 103 yards and a score on 12 carries. Barragan had 10 totes for 70 yards and TD to go along with the touchdown reception. Duronslet also ran for a touchdown.

For Diamond Bar Mendoza was 20 of 25 for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jenkins finished with 8 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown but had to leave the game early in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

Covina remained undefeated improving to 3-0 with the victory while Diamond Bar fell to 2-1.