They knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
Glendora had to replace a number of star players in key positions that helped lead the program to back-to-back CIF-SS semifinal appearances.
And while this Tartans squad is forging its own identity, the results remain the same.
GHS opened the first of five road games with a 20-13 victory at Diamond Ranch.
And it had its share of drama.
Braydon Brus scored the game’s first and last points, with 2-and-70-yard TD runs, respectively.
His second came with approximately one minute left in the game to break a 13-13 tie.
The Tartans defense sealed the victory by knocking down a Panthers’ pass on a 4th-and-1 play at the Diamond Ranch 46-yard line.
Brus finished with 105 yards rushing on 15 carries.
Noah Acuna added 48 yards on the ground and had three catches for 18 yards.
Both GHS and Diamond Ranch got quality play from their kickers.
Cesar Velasquez had field goals of 44 and 32 yards, the latter of which tied the game at 13-13, with 1:30 to play.
GHS’ Jack Norell made good on field goals of 37 and 32 yards, respectively, and both times, Norell gave the Tartans a 3-point lead.
Matt Gonzales had two catches for six yards and his 25-yard kickoff return late in the game was followed one play later by Brus’ 70-yard score.
Charlie Waite picked off a pass, which set up a Glendora field goal.
And a Josh Fernandez fumble recovery set up the other.
Jake Denerson had a challenging night at quarterback, completing 7-of-19 for 32 yards.
GHS will travel to West Covina next Friday night.
Quotable:
GHS senior, Matt Gonzales: “Tonight’s win didn’t feel like it was about the game, it was about us. We worked hard for countless months with no idea what was going on and we got our chance to play. Diamond Ranch was much bigger and more athletic than we probably are, but we fight. We want to be the most excited to play and that’s how you win games like these. We didn’t celebrate just because we won, we celebrated us being able to do what we love and tonight it really showed on the field.”
Box Score:
GHS: 7-3-3-7-(20)
DR: 7-3-0-3-(13)
Scoring:
GHS: Braydon Brus 2 run (Jack Norell kick)
DR: Kejon Gibson 90 kickoff return (Cesar Velasquez kick)
GHS: Jack Norell 37 field goal
DR: Cesar Velasquez 44 field goal
GHS: Jack Norell 32 field goal
DR: Cesar Velasquez 32 field goal
GHS: Braydon Brus 70 run (Jack Norell kick)
Records: Glendora (1-0); Diamond Ranch (0-1)
** Thanks to Zack Morton for the stats and game info, and Rod Tilton for the photos.
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