Playing without sophomore Dylan Karanickolas, the Diamond Bar High School football team felt the absence of their starting quarterback, losing 31-14 to  the Brea Olinda Wildcats.

The Brahmas ran a quarterback by committee that saw junior Daryn Ongsing and senior Charles Miller split snaps and drives. Between the two of them, the Brahmas threw for two touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Wildcats started the game on their 30, but were forced to punt right away. With their first possession of the game, DB took the ball all the way to Brea’s 15, but a failed on 4th and 9, turning the ball over. Yet, Brea could not take advantage and had to punt again.

On their second drive of the game, the Brahmas marched the ball down the field, capped off with an 18-yard rush TD by Miller. After a missed extra point, DB was up 6-0.

Brea’s next drive ended with another punt, but the Brahmas could not extend their lead and had to punt as well. However, the punt was blocked by the Wildcats, and they started on DB’s 38. That same drive ended in a turnover on downs.

With the ball, DB ended the first quarter with a 12-yard rush for a first down. The Brahmas had the momentum of the game, but an interception on Brea’s 15 ended that drive. The interception led to a 69-yard run to DB’s 4, but the Wildcats fumbled and lost the ball on the Brahmas’ 7 with less than 11 minutes in the half.

After another DB punt, Brea finally scored with a field goal. Receiving the ball on their 20, the Brahmas were unable to get out of their side of the field and had to punt. This time, the Wildcats scored their first TD of the game and took the lead, 10-6.

With Less than a minute in the half, the Brahmas’ had another  punt blocked, setting up a Brea drive that was capped off with a 5-yard rushing TD. Scoring the extra point, the Wildcats headed into the third quarter with a 17-6 lead.

Starting the second half with the ball, the Brahmas fumbled their first possession of the half, and the Wildcats started on DB’s 29. Brea took advantage and scored with a 10-yard rushing TD to stretch the lead, 24-6.

Both team would go back and forth, but neither team would score for the rest of the third quarter.

It wouldn’t be until the fourth quarter, with a little over four minutes left, that the Wildcats would finally score on  a rushing touchdown. Down 31-6 with  less than three minutes left in the game, the Brahmas scored on their final drive of the game, and cut the lead 31-14 after the 2-point conversion.

An unsuccessful DB onside kick was recovered by Brea and the victors ended the game by kneeling.

Next week, the Brahmas will finish the preseason with a home game against San Dimas.