After opening their season with two consecutive victories against Esperanza, 28-19, and Chino, 43-36, the Diamond Bar High School football team’s momentum was halted by a loss to Covina, 32-42.

The Brahmas struggled to make efficient stops on defense, which contributed to their 10 point loss to the Colts. 

“There were many occasions where we were at the ball but we just missed the tackle,” senior defensive end Alexander Xiao said via Instagram. “To fix this problem, we are working on more tackling circuits during practice.”

Regardless of the result of their previous game, the team is optimistic about the remainder of their season.

Despite the graduation of numerous high-caliber seniors such as wide receiver Maddox Bernardino, running back Isaiah Young, quarterback Ryan Lewis and defensive end Julian Martinez, many new underclassmen and returning upperclassmen have stepped up to make the reconstruction process easier. 

Offensive players to keep an eye out for this season include senior running back Henry Liang, junior wide receiver Brian Vu, senior wide receivers Kai Jenkins and Abram Mejia, junior slot receiver Isaac Insuasti, senior lineman Nolan Kim and junior quarterbacks Quinton Mendoza and Tristan Skipper.

Defensive standouts include junior linebacker Matt Galvan, senior linebackers Jeremy Torres and Niko Macias and Xiao. 

“We are a team that’s returning key players from last year, but we also have new faces stepping up,” Liang said via Instagram. “A big emphasis this year has been to execute our plans and play like the championship level team that we are.”

This season, the Brahmas are looking to maintain possession of the Branding Iron, repeat as Hacienda League Champions and find their missing piece of the puzzle: a CIF championship ring. 

“We’re running an uphill battle no matter what,” head coach Matt Castaneda said. “Our goal is to play good football in October and November when it really matters.”

 The Brahmas will face the El Toro Chargers in a home game this Friday.