With high expectations of reaching the CIF playoffs, the Diamond Bar football team started the season off on the right note as it crushed the Montebello Oilers 44-10. Although the Brahmas’ offense consist of many explosive players, it was the special team that led the team to victory. “We started off well, played sloppy and finished strong,” head coach Ryan Maine said.
The Brahmas’ offense, many returning from last year’s squad, looked stellar as it drove the ball down the field on its first possession of the season. Senior running back and co-captain Tyler Brown finished the drive with a touchdown, placing the Brahmas on the board first, 7-0.
Brown was all over the field during the game as he finished the game with 42 rushing yards, 32 receiving yards, eight tackles and two touchdowns. The senior running back looks to have another spectacular season as he was named to the All Hacienda League First Team Offense with 1488 all purpose yards and 13 touchdowns.
After giving up a field goal to the Oilers, the Brahmas’ special team had the play of the night with a 95-yard kickoff return by sophomore running back Brian Lamb. With the help of excellent blocking from his teammates, Lamb found a gap through the Oilers’ defense along the sideline and was able to speed through his competitors, increasing the Brahmas lead to 14-3.
On the following possession, the Brahmas held the Oilers to a three and out making Montebello punt the ball on fourth down. Right before the Oiler punter kicked, junior wide receiver Austin Cox was able to block the punt which led to sophomore wide receiver Kyle Yada picking up the football and running to the end-zone.
A minute later, in the second quarter, the Brahmas’ defense forced and recovered a fumble, which would led to the Brahmas scoring again after junior quarterback and co-captain Tyler Peterson connected with junior wide receiver Kanya Bell for a 30 yard touchdown. Peterson finished the game with 19 completed passes out of 29 attempts for 183 yards and one touchdown. “ Everything just went well,” Peterson said. Heading into halftime, the score was 28-10.
After a scoreless third quarter by both teams, the Brahmas’ special team was able to score again after the Oiler punter stepped out of bounds in the end-zone, giving DB a safety. On the next possession, the Brahmas were able to score quickly after having great field possesion. Brown finished the drive with a six yard run touchdown giving the Brahmas 37-10. DB later score again in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter giving the Brahmas their first victory of the 2013 season with a score of 44-10.
One of the underrated aspects of the game came from the Brahmas’ defense. It held the Oilers’ offense to ten points and 299 total yards. The DB’s secondary played a great game as it only gave up 43 passing yards. Leading the Brahmas’ defense was senior linebacker Josh Sanchez who achieved a game high of 19 tackles. “ They have been working really hard over the offseason,” Maine said.
This year the team looks to redeem itself from last year’s record of 4-6. With many collegiate-level athletes like junior wide receiver Cordell Broadus and Bell, the Brahmas look to reach the CIF playoffs after many seasons of disappointments. “I plan on seeing us going in the playoffs and being successful,” Broadus said.