Ayden Gutierrez #1 of Damien catches a pass for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ayden Gutierrez #1 of Damien holds his foot after catching a pass for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ayden Gutierrez #1 of Damien catches a pass for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Isaiah Arriaza #7 of Damien fumbles as Lavaka Latu #10 of Rancho Cucamonga recovered the ball in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Lavaka Latu #10 of Rancho Cucamonga recovers a Damien fumble in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Daniel Wimbush #18 of Rancho Cucamonga catches a tipped pass and runs for a touchdown against Damien in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Brian Hildebrand of Rancho Cucamonga reacts after a touchdown against Damien in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Daniel Wimbush #18 of Rancho Cucamonga reacts after catching a tipped pass and runs for a touchdown against Damien in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Nehemiah Harrison #4 of Rancho Cucamonga runs for a first down against Damien in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cameron Sermons #11 of Rancho Cucamonga catches a pass over Mekhi Freeman #24 of Damien for a first down in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cameron Sermons #11 of Rancho Cucamonga catches a pass over Mekhi Freeman #24 of Damien for a first down in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Brian Hildebrand of Rancho Cucamonga against Damien in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Trey Wilson #3 of Rancho Cucamonga runs for a touchdown against Damien in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Zachary Eguia #4 of Damien runs for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Zachary Eguia #4 of Damien runs for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Daniel Wimbush #18 of Rancho Cucamonga is tackled for a loss of yards by Julian Escalante #21 of Damien in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dylan Cabildo #13 of Damien Catches a pass for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dylan Cabildo #13 of Damien Catches a pass for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Zachary Eguia #4 of Damien runs for a touchdown against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Zachary Eguia #4 of Damien reacts after running for a touchdown against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Matt Bechtel of Damien against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Isaiah Arriaza #7 of Damien runs for a touchdown against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Matt Bechtel of Damien against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ayden Gutierrez #1 of Damien catches a pass for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Isaiah Arriaza #7 of Damien passes against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Zachary Eguia #4 of Damien runs for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ayden Gutierrez #1 of Damien catches a pass for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Trey Wilson #3 of Rancho Cucamonga runs for a first down against Damien in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Daniel Wimbush #18 of Rancho Cucamonga catches a pass and runs for a touchdown against Damien in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Daniel Wimbush #18 of Rancho Cucamonga catches a pass and runs for a touchdown against Damien in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Daniel Wimbush #18 of Rancho Cucamonga reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown against Damien in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Daniel Wimbush #18 of Rancho Cucamonga catches a pass and runs for a touchdown against Damien in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Isaiah Arriaza #7 of Damien passes against Rancho Cucamonga in the first half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Ayden Gutierrez #1 of Damien catches a pass for a first down against Rancho Cucamonga in the second half of a prep football game at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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LA VERNE – Damien came close to knocking off Rancho Cucamonga in a battle of undefeated teams on Friday night, but the Cougars came up with the big play to hold on for a 36-35 victory.
Damien quarterback Isaiah Arriaza threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Bechtel with 38 seconds left that could have tied the game for the Spartans. But instead of kicking the extra point, they went for the potential game-winner, and Arriaza’s two-point conversion attempt was intercepted by Dakota Mendoza, sealing the Cougars’ win.
While Damien proved it belonged in big games like this, Rancho Cucamonga also showed why it is ranked No. 7 in Calpreps’ Southern Section rankings, surviving a thriller to improve to 9-0 and 3-0 to claim at least a share of its second straight Baseline League title.
“It was tight all the way through, hats off to Damien, they’re a well coached team,” Rancho Cucamonga coach Brian Hildebrand said. “Our kids really had to dig down deep for that last stop. We gave up a touchdown, but were able to come away win a win.
“Dakota Mendoza stayed home on a throw back and was able to intercept it and close it out. It was kind of how we battled and continued to fight the entire game.”
Rancho Cucamonga with an interception on Damien’s go-ahead 2 point conversion with 38 seconds left.
Rancho will hold on to win, 36-35 pic.twitter.com/0K10k4fYfW
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) October 21, 2023
Rancho Cucamonga coach Brian Hildebrand talks about stopping Damien on go-ahead conversion to squeeze out a 36-35 win over Damien, and what he thinks of possibly being in D1 playoffs pic.twitter.com/uEMWUdkHO8
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) October 21, 2023
Damien (8-1, 2-1), suffered its first loss after its best start since 1999, but it certainly showed how far the team has come after going a combined 6-14 over the past two years. Damien will almost assuredly make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season, and can clinch second place outright with a win next week at Etiwanda.
Damien coach Matt Bechtel explained his reasons for opting for the go-ahead score instead of kicking the point and hoping for overtime.
“We’re always going to play to win,” Bechtel said. “Part of that comes from the preparation, and part of that comes from the strategy being at home. I felt good about the call we had on, and what can you say (Mendoza) made a heck of a play.
“That’s sometimes how it goes. Two 8-0 teams were playing and you knew it would come down to 48 minutes of football and it came down to 47 minutes and 30 seconds, so I’m proud of our guys. We just came up a little short tonight.”
Damien coach Matt Bechtel explains decision to go for game winning two point conversion in 36-35 loss to Rancho Cucamonga, and also how his team battled against one of the best teams in Southern California pic.twitter.com/RBtFmzhrV1
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) October 21, 2023
Rancho Cucamonga quarterback Emiliano Villarreal completed 14 of 21 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Trey Wilson finished with 156 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Cougars.
For Damien, running back Zachary Eguia carried the ball 18 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns and Arriaza threw for 211 yards and a touchdown, and also ran in a score.
When it was over, Damien was given a warm reception from its fans, which Bechtel appreciated.
“It makes me feel good that even in a close loss that all these fans and parents were proud and showed that appreciation,” Bechtel said. “And the other part, maybe in a weird way, is I’m very happy with our response.
“We weren’t happy to be in a close game. We weren’t happy to lose by 1. Our guys were down. They worked hard and have every right to be down, but obviously we don’t want them to hang their heads because there is a lot of football to be played. This game is going to make us better and I think is going to prove to be a turning point this season.”
The two teams went back and forth from the start Friday.
Rancho Cucamonga needed only three plays to go 80 yards on its opening drive for a touchdown.
After Wilson busted loose on a 45-yard run, Villarreal floated a 31-yard pass down the right side for Tyler Dudden for a 7-0 lead.
The Spartans answered on their first possession, keeping their drive alive on a fake punt and first down run by Caden Arellano. After several Eguia runs moved them into scoring position, Arriaza scored on a 2-yard keeper to make it 7-7.
The Cougars quickly went back in front after Villarreal hit Jonah Dawson for a 32-yard TD pass and 14-7 lead less than two minutes later.
The Spartans continued leaning on Eguia, and he kept delivering. He ran 30 yards for a first down, then after an Arriaza 19-yard completion, Eguia delivered. He scored on a second-effort 4-yard TD run, and the Spartans took their first lead, 15-14, after a two-point conversion pass.
The Cougars were marching quickly toward another score when they fumbled. The Spartans’ Arellano recovered it and ran for a few yards to their own 47.
Damien receiver Ayden Gutierrez was proud how they battled back and gave themselves a chance to win in 36-35 loss to Rancho Cucamonga pic.twitter.com/UGokZkCbN8
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) October 21, 2023
The Spartans cashed it in. Ayden Gutierrez’s 32-yard reception set up Eguia for a 4-yard touchdown run and 22-14 lead, which they took to half.
The Cougars tied it early in the third quarter. On fourth and 1, Wilson found a hole and ran 43 yards for a score and they made the two-point conversion to make it, 22-22.
The Cougars kept on coming. Cameron Sermons caught a 45-yard pass from Villarreal to the 1. On the next play, Wilson ran it in to put them back in front, 29-22.
The Spartans got the spark they needed. Gutierrez returned the kickoff 95 yards to even the score.
Not long after, Dudden scored his second TD for the Cougars, catching a tipped pass from Villarreal for a 16-yard score and 36-29 Cougars lead, which proved to be the difference.
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