FOOTBALL: Leopards Top Sagehens To Earn Homecoming Victory
Kenneth Chapman scores on a 41-yard TD reception (Jan Miller photo)
The University of La Verne earned its first win of the 2008 season with a 45-37 Homecoming triumph over visiting Pomona-Pitzer in SCIAC action Saturday at Ortmayer Stadium.
La Verne (1-4, 1-2 SCIAC) never trailed in the second half, scoring four touchdowns after intermisson to hold off the Sagehens.
Leading 24-23, the Leopards scored 14 unanswered points to build a 38-23 advantage on its way to victory. Kenneth Chapman hauled in a 41-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Andre with 44 seconds remaining in the third quarter to cap a 6-play, 65-yard drive. The Leopards struck again with under five minutes remaining in the fourth when Andre found Phi Van Le for a 10-yard scoring pass to take a 15-point lead.
The Sagehens (1-4, 0-2) answered with a 4-play, 65-yard drive that took just 39 seconds when Jake Caron connected with Kevin Kelley on a 14-yard touchdown. The extra point failed to keep the La Verne margin at 38-29.
The Leos quickly regained momentum when Rocky Keawekane returned the kickoff 57 yards to the Sagehen 33. A personal foul on Pomona-Pitzer gave the Leopards possession on the 18. On the ensuing play, the Leopards used a trick play for another score as Andre handed the ball to backup quarterback Ryan Coffelt, who then passed to a wide-open David Bradley for a touchdown to give La Verne an insurmountable 45-29 advantage.
Pomona-Pitzer's last lead of the day occurred late in the second quarter when Andrew Russell scored from 2 yards out with 3:29 remaining in the second quarter to give the Hens a 16-10 advantage. The Leopards responded in the waning seconds of the first half when Andre threw a pass intended for Bradley but was deflected over a Pomona-Pitzer defender into the hands of Leopard receiver Charles Lacy in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown to propel La Verne to a 17-16 halftime advantage.
Curtis Puli scored twice for the Leopards on 1-yard rushes. His initial score occurred in the first quarter to conclude a 6-play, 69-yard drive to give La Verne a 7-3 lead at 8:45. His second 1-yard scoring plunge was the first score of the second half to push the Leopard cushion to 24-16 at 11:39 in the third quarter.
Andre finished the day with passing 286 yards, completing 24 of 36 attempts with two touchdowns along with 69 rushing yards. Lacy had 7 receptions for 65 yards with Van Le totaling 6 grabs for 58 yards. Bradley and John Ausman each had 4 catches for 49 yardds. Caron, the SCIAC leader in total offense, collected 374 yards through the air but was picked off twice. Sagehen receiver Robert Maki tallied 227 yards on 16 catches in the defeat.
During halftime, a moving tribute was given to former Leopard head football coach Roland Ortmayer, who passed away on Oct. 9.
La Verne plays its final home game of the season as it hosts conference leader Occidental College for a 1 pm start.
