Diamond Bar Takes the Fifth, Wins, 17-14

Senior running back Jason Wright scored on five-yard run with 19 seconds remaining as Diamond Bar won its second consecutive Southern Section Division II championship with a 17-14 victory over Upland on Friday night at Cal State Fullerton.

But the game wasn’t without controversy.

During the winning drive, Diamond Bar (14-0) was the recipient of a fifth down after confusion ensued following a holding penalty on a third down.

On what should have been fourth down after Upland declined the penalty, Diamond Bar quarterback Ryan Maine threw an incomplete pass, but the down markers were never changed.

Upland Coach Tim Salter argued the point with officials, but they allowed the Brahmas an extra play, which Maine used to complete a fourth-and-11 pass to Aric Williams to sustain the drive at the Upland 45.

“You would think you could get competent officials in the championship game, but I guess that’s not true,” Salter said.

Wright, who finished with 115 yards rushing, said he felt the Brahmas were fortunate to win, although he was unaware of the extra down until told by a reporter.

“We were blessed tonight and by the grace of God we won a championship,” Wright said. “Luck is always a factor in a championship and we got lucky tonight.”

Upland (12-2) took its only lead of the second half at 14-10 with 8:19 remaining on an 11-yard run by Geramie Bascomb.

Diamond Bar, which has won 25 in a row, scored its first touchdown on a second-quarter one-yard run by Felipe Garcia.

Westlake 24, San Luis Obispo 21--Zac Wasserman threw one of his three touchdowns with 6:21 remaining to help the Warriors (13-1) win the Division IV championship at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Ben Lorier blocked a 25-yard field goal by San Luis Obispo with 1:47 remaining to preserve the victory.

The Tigers (12-2), normally a strong running team, were held to 97 yards on 33 carries.

Rancho Cucamonga 30, Menifee Paloma Valley 22--The Cougars raced to a 27-0 lead early in the third quarter, then survived three late touchdowns by the Wildcats to capture the Division V championship at Chaffey College.

Junior tailback Jarret Brown scored on touchdown runs of 44 and 15 yards and caught a third touchdown as Rancho Cucamonga (11-3) built a 21-0 halftime lead. Brown rushed for 111 yards in the first half. He sat most of the second half with an arm injury.

Rancho Cucamonga held Paloma Valley (12-2) to just three first downs and sacked quarterback Ryan Lundstrom three times in the first half.

Newport Harbor 19, Irvine 18--Two great defensive teams played for the Division VI championship, so perhaps it was fitting the game was decided by a great defensive play.

Newport Harbor (13-0-1), which trailed for the first three quarters, scored on a fumble recovery with 10:15 to play and held on for a thrilling victory over Irvine (10-3-1) before 7,000 at Orange Coast College.

Irvine quarterback Mike Ricci fumbled after being sacked by defensive end Garrett Troncale, and nose tackle Andy Kalanz scooped up the ball at the four-yard line, running it in for the touchdown that ultimately gave the Sailors their first section title since 1994.

La Verne Bonita 24, Brea Olinda 14--Running back DeAndre Belin rushed for 185 yards in 29 carries, scoring three touchdowns to lead the top-seeded Bearcats to the Division IX championship before 6,500 at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

Bonita (14-0) was making its first title-game appearance in 30 years and had not won a CIF title since 1945 when it defeated El Centro Central, 26-7, for the second of consecutive lower division championships.

Belin’s second touchdown of the game, a 32-yarder with 3:06 left to play, put the Bearcats ahead, 17-14. He added some insurance with a 35-yard touchdown on his next carry with 1:25 remaining.

Brea Olinda (12-1-1), which was attempting to win its first section title since 1963, lost any chance to retake the lead late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Steve Stagnaro threw an incomplete pass on fourth down.

Paso Robles 24, Monrovia 10--Senior running back Andre Nichelson rushed for 200 yards in 29 carries and scored two touchdowns as the Bearcats also used a strong defensive effort to win their second consecutive Division X championship at Citrus College in Glendora.

Paso Robles (12-2) held Monrovia (12-2) to 110 total yards and had four interceptions, three by Wildcat quarterback Ryan O’Hara. The Bearcats limited O’Hara to one completion in nine attempts for 34 yards.

Bearcat tight end Brian Baugh had three catches for 56 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown reception.