Leopards Suffer Setback At Pomona-Pitzer
The University of La Verne football team battled throughout but could not contain a potent Pomona-Pitzer offensive attack that amassed more than 500 yards, resulting in a 38-14 defeat to the Sagehens in SCIAC action Saturday night at Merritt Field in Claremont.
Pomona-Pitzer (3-2, 1-1 SCIAC) totaled 509 yards of offense. Quarterback Jacob Caron, son of Sagehen head coach Roger Caron, completed 28 of 41 passes for 363 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. The Sagehens also received 145 yards on the ground, led by running back Russell Oka's 109 yards on 24 carries.
Down 7-0 in the first quarter, La Verne (0-5, 0-3 SCIAC) marched 45 yards to a score on 5 plays when quarterback Anthony Andre connected with Erek Brown on an 8-yard TD pass to forge a 7-7 tie with 4:07 remaining in the opening period.
Pomona-Pitzer responded by scoring the next 17 points, as Caron accounted for both touchdowns. The first came on a 25-yard scoring pass to Robert Maki with 14:38 left in the second quarter. The touchdown preceded a 37-yard field goal by Bobby Montalvo with 16 seconds remaining in the half to put the Hens up 17-7 at intermission. In the opening minute of the third quarter, Caron took advantage of a Sagehen interception and ran for a score from 4 yards on the next play to give the home team a 24-7 cushion at the 14:21 mark.
Later in the period the Leopards mounted a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to get within 10 points when Andre found Cedric Ho for a 14-yard touchdown with 2:10 left in the third quarter to narrow the Sagehen lead to 24-14.
Pomona-Pitzer answered with a score on the ensuing drive, as a 2-yard run by Oka capped a 6-play, 60-yard drive to give the Hens a 31-14 advantage with 14:50 remaining in the game. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Hens struck again when Maki scored on a 20-yard TD pass from Caron to close out the scoring.
Maki led all receivers with 18 catches for 202 yards.
Pomona-Pitzer enjoyed a near 13-minute advantage in time of possession, controlling the ball 36:11 compared to 23:49 for La Verne. The Hens also reached the red zone on eight occasions, earning six scores. The Leos made 4 trips to the red zone, scoring twice.
The Sagehen defense was led by Max Reed, who totaled 6 total tackles including 3 sacks. Pomona-Pitzer recorded 7 sacks on the night.
Andre finished the game 17-of-35 through the air for 222 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Leopards. Ho led the La Verne receiving corps by hauling in 10 passes for 120 yards, eclipsing the 100-yard receiving plateau for the third consecutive game.
On defense, Branamier Courtney collected a team-high 9 tackles (7 solo) and also returned an interception 22 yards. Trayvon Samuell totaled 8 tackles on the evening while Donald Mull also picked off a pass, returning the interception 21 yards.
La Verne continues SCIAC action next Saturday when it takes on Occidental College in Eagle Rock for a 3 pm kickoff.
