Team starts league with loss
Starting the preseason 2-1, the Brahmas could not keep up their pace and have lost three straight matches, including their first league game.
Senior Grant Mestas looks for a receiver against Glendora. Mestas leads the league in throwing yards with 1,176.
October 13, 2016
After starting 2-1, earning wins against rival Walnut and Covina, Diamond Bar High School football team’s overall record has slipped to 2-4, after losing their first league game against Glendora, 42-8.
Other losses before Friday’s game against last year’s league champs were to Brea Olinda, 40-20, and San Dimas, 49-0.
During the three-game losing streak, the Brahmas have scored just 28 points while allowing 131 points. Head coach Marcus Hughes is looking to make changes to both sides of the field.
“Defensively, we need to work on tackling and placing the kids in the right places. [On offense], we have to work on just execution on the offensive line,” Hughes said.
On defense, Hughes is looking to make adjustments in the team’s schemes while also hoping for senior defensive backs Tyler Cooper and Jaime House to lead. Offensively, the team has no set plans for every week, but the coaches adjust the game plan before each match, based on its opponents.
“Each game varies on our opponents. We would like to rush more and go with more pass action sets, but a lot will dictate on what our opponents do,” Hughes said.
In the passing department, senior Grant Mestas has been the quarterback throughout the team’s six games. He leads the Palomares League in yards with 1,176. Mestas has also thrown for nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Junior Shane Wells has been a primary target for Mestas, leading the league with 544 yards and catching five touchdowns. While Wells is the main target, he’s trying to help the offense in other ways.
“I get doubled more and covered more tightly, but that gives more room for other guys to get open,” Wells said.
Senior Davion Bluitt has also been a big weapon for the team, catching for 255 yards and scoring two passing touchdowns. Bluitt is also the leading running back for the team, with 84 carries, 380 yards and four touchdowns.
This Friday, the Brahmas have an opportunity to break their losing streak against Ayala.
“We have a tough team. You have your highs and your lows. We’re trying to put our kids in the best position to be successful,” Hughes said.
