After a dominating 57-7 win last week over rival Walnut High School, the Diamond Bar High School Brahmas faced a tougher opponent this week, ultimately holding off the San Dimas Saints in a close 18-7 win.

The Brahma defense struggled during the first drive, allowing the Saints to move the ball up the field quickly. However, the defense was able to recover as the Brahmas forced a turnover on their own 16.

However, the Saints were able to pick up speed by the end of the first quarter, as they rushed for a 3-yard touchdown with a minute remaining.

“We knew that [San Dimas] was going to come out hard. They definitely did hit hard, but we just stuck it to them and kept pushing,” senior captain Blake Goodman said.

Within the first minute of the second quarter, the Brahmas were able to regain momentum by scoring on a 45-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Grant Mestas to junior wide receiver J.C. Holmes. The Brahmas were still down 7-6 due to a missed point after attempt by senior kicker Anthony Vasquez.

However, DB’s attack in the second did not stop there, as senior running back DiMaggio Rico rushed for a 2-yard touchdown. The Brahmas failed to convert the ensuing 2-point conversion, giving them a 12-7 lead.

DB was able to close out the rest of the half comfortably with a 15-7 lead, as Vasquez delivered a 25-yard field goal as time expired.

Unlike the second quarter, the third quarter was not a battle on the offensive side of the field, but instead one on the defensive side. In the entire quarter, both teams failed to score. Throughout the period, the Brahmas punted the ball multiple times while the Saints both punted and turned over the ball.

For the final quarter, the Brahmas were able to hold the ball and run out the clock, but there were moments of tension and edginess in the final four minutes of the game.

Down 15-7 with two minutes left, the Saints had to go for a fourth and two at their own 15. However, the Brahmas’ defense pressured San Dimas’ quarterback, and he would throw an incomplete pass, turning it over for the team’s fourth time.

With 28 seconds left, the Brahmas were able to close out the Saints with a 28-yard field goal by Vasquez.

The Brahmas are now 3-0 this preseason and will take on the Brea Olinda Wildcats next Friday.