Third straight league loss end CIF hopes

On a night that celebrated the 20-year anniversary of Diamond Bar High School’s 1995 CIF Champion Football team, the current Brahmas seemed unable to mirror such success and were overwhelmed by the Claremont Wolfpack, 42-13, dropping the team’s record to 0-3 in league.

“[The Wolfpack] were good. They made plays, their quarterback was elusive, their running backs were good, and they did a good job,” head coach Marcus Hughes said.

Claremont started the game by returning the kickoff for 25 yards. Through a few rushing attempts, the Wolfpack were able to move up the field and score with a 22-yard passing touchdown.

After four minutes and a few penalties, the Brahmas were able to even up the score after an 8-yard rush touchdown by senior running back Dimaggio Rico. However, the Wolfpack countered before the end of the first quarter with a 10-yard touchdown.

The second quarter began with a three and out by DB. With possession again, Claremont scored on another 10-yard rushing touchdown, giving the team a 21-7 lead. Claremont’s offensive onslaught in the first half did not stop there. The team regained the ball, scoring an 18-yard touchdown with three minutes left.

Before the half ended, Claremont was in the red zone and the Wolfpack’s quarterback attempted to throw a touchdown, but DB sophomore defensive back Wayne Schuster was able to intercept the ball, giving the Brahmas final possession as the half ended with a score of 28-7.

Carrying on from the momentum of the team’s interception, Rico returned the second half kickoff with a 100-yard touchdown. The score was 28-13 after senior kicker Anthony Vasquez missed the point after attempt.

DB kept pushing from there, as the team was able to sack Claremont’s quarterback, force a punt, and get within field goal range. However, the Brahmas missed the field goal, turning the ball over to the Wolfpack.

On that drive, Claremont would score on an 11-yard rushing touchdown, giving the team a 35-13 lead. That would be the last score of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, DB began with possession, but a fumble recovery on a punt would give the Wolfpack the ball on the Brahmas’ 10 yard line, setting up a rushing touchdown and putting DB behind, 42-13.

The team would attempt a final drive with over ten minutes left in the game, but that would be thwarted when Claremont intercepted junior quarterback Grant Mestas’ attempted touchdown pass with four minutes left.

For the rest of the game, Claremont would run out the clock, handing DB their third straight league loss.

With three losses, the Brahmas’ hopes for contending for the postseason ends. The team still has two more league matches, a home game against Bonita and a game at Glendora.

In addition to the game, halftime saw DBHS name the court princesses and queen for Saturday’s homecoming court. The princesses were Mariel Castillo for the Class of 2019, Casey Mach for the Class of 2018, and Brandy Baker for the Class of 2017. Named queen was senior Rebecca Wang.