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By Cameran Wall
Staff Writer
LA VERNE – Following a back and forth first half Friday night, the Amat Lancers turned up the heat late in the second quarter and early in the third as they pulled out a 29-20 victory over the Damien Spartans.
The game started off with a bang as senior Darien Johnson promptly began the contest with an opening 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
The Spartans answered with a long drive capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback James Guillen.
Later in the first quarter, senior quarterback Jerry McClanahan dropped back and dumped off a screen pass to junior running back Jay Anderson. After shedding off two Spartan defenders, Anderson strutted 52 yards into the end zone for a second Amat touchdown.
A bad snap caused a missed extra point and the Lancers led 13-7.
Once again, the Spartans responded. This time running back Phillip Sainz ran 45-yards to tie the game, and the extra point gave Damien a 14-13 lead. This would be the Spartans only lead of the game.
Although two quick tackles by senior Jordan Wall set a strong tone, the 14 points given up in the first quarter was the most points the Lancers have given up in a single quarter all year.
The second quarter started with a bang as a few runs by sophomore Zachary Shay set up a 46-yard field goal by senior Alex Ragsdale.
The Damien returner fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Lancers recovered.
A few plays later, McClanahan fired a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior Nick Ramos.
The first half closed with the Bishop Amat Lancers ahead with the score 23-14.
“We had the will to win,” Lancers Head Coach Steve Hagerty said. “They wanted it.”
The Lancers scored one more time on a quick 50-yard TD pass from McClanahan to Johnson.
The Lancer defense stepped up throughout the second half and kept Damien silent until a late fourth quarter touchdown.
“Every game prepares for the next week,” Coach Hagerty said. “We learn what to do better and how to work with each player.”
The Lancers (3-0) take on St. Bonaventure next week at Kiefer Stadium. Bonaventure is one of the nation’s top-ranked teams and is coming off a 42-41 victory over Crespi High School.
