Homecoming Game Disappoints
September 24, 2014
With the ball on the 33-yard line, the Diamond Bar football team had one last chance to extend its drive and make an attempt to win the game. However, the comeback attempt ended when the Brahmas’ offense could not convert a fourth and sixth. The Brahmas suffered a stunning loss to the Brea Olinda Wildcats 23-20 on Friday. Currently on a two-game losing streak, the Brahmas are now 2-2 and have little time to make adjustments before the start of the Palomeres League.
The Brahmas’ offense started on the right foot. Senior quarterback and co-captain Tyler Peterson scored the first touchdown on a 63-yard run, but the team could not make the extra point. However, the Wildcats answered back with a rushing touchdown of their own. With one minute left in the first quarter, DB senior wide receiver Antonio Hull managed to find a gap between the offensive linemen and scored another touchdown for DB. After the first quarter, the Brahmas were leading 13-7.
Both teams’ defenses took control of the game in the second quarter. The Brahmas’ defense held the Wildcats to only a field goal in the quarter while the Brahmas’ offense was stagnant. DB could not convert any of their third down opportunities and had multiple three and outs. Heading into halftime, the score remained 13-10.
The Brahmas’ defense soon had trouble in the second half of the game. The unit could not stop the Wildcats’ game and were tricked by BO’s play-action passing. In the third quarter, the Wildcats managed to control the ball over half the quarter and drove the ball down the field. BO capitalized on their red-zone opportunity with a six-yard rushing touchdown, giving them the 16-13 lead.
The Brahmas quickly answered back with a rushing touchdown of their own. Hull found an open seam and ran for a 51-yard touchdown run. Hull finished the game with 110 rushing yards on 10 carries. The game looked to be in Diamond Bar’s favor when the third quarter ended with the Brahmas leading 20-16.
However, the Brahmas’ defense struggled once more and could not stop the Wildcats from scoring another touchdown. With two minutes left in the game, DB had one last chance to march down the field. With the passing game out of sync, the Brahmas heavily depended on their running game. However, this mentality backfired as DB could not capitalize on a crucial fourth down, giving the 23-20 victory to the Wildcats.
If the Brahmas want to succeed in the Palomeres League and reach CIF, DB has to manage to achieve a passing game and stop the opponents’ rushing attack. Against BO, the Brahmas only had 90 passing yards and gave up 164 rushing yards.
The Brahmas are heading to Cypress to face the Cypress Centurions on Sept. 26.
