Local Gridiron Teams' Postseason Runs Ends Abruptly

POMONA – For Local gridiron teams Diamond Ranch and Nogales, the quest for a divisional title ended on Friday with losses to Nogales 35-29 in double overtime against Silver Valley in a Division 13 quarterfinal, and Diamond Ranch 35-7 to El Modena High School in a Division 7 quarterfinal.

After holding the Panther to a three-and-out on its first possession, El Modena struck first as they scored on the second play of its first possession, as Quarterback AJ Esperzana found Andrew Carvajal on a 40-yard scoring pass down the left sideline.

The Vanguards scored again on its second possession, this time on an Esperanza pass to Justin Simpson on a 41-yard yarder to give El Modena a quick 14-0 lead.

Diamond Ranch (8-4) kept the game close, not allowing any El Modena points in the second quarter, but could hardy get anything going themselves, and entered halftime trailing only 14-0.

El Modena (10-2) scored twice more, culmination on Carvajal’s second touchdown of the game, a 5-yard rushing score to give them 28-0 lead.

Diamond Ranch avoided the shutout when Conner Clark finally found the end zone with about 8 minutes to go in the game.

For Nogales, its historical season ended abruptly in double overtime against Silver Valley.

Anthony Brown’s rushing touchdown in the second overtime, his second of the game, proved to be the game winner as Silver Valley escaped with the 35-29 result and will meet La Quinta in next Friday’s semifinal.

The Trojans (8-2) opened the game with a bang, when Michael Marrero returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for the first points of the game. It would remain 7-0 until late into the second quarter when Anthony Brown scored on an 8-yard run to take a 14-0 lead into halftime.

Nogales (10-2) however would not go away, as they scored twice in the second half to tie the game at 14-14 with a little bit over 11 minutes to go in the final quarter.

Both teams exchanged touchdowns to make the game 22-22 to end regulation, and in overtime, but Nogales was unable to convert on its possession in the second overtime.

Nogales head coach Richard Salazar addressed his team after the game. “That’s a very good team out there. Will we still wake up tomorrow? Of course. It’s not the end of the world.”

Photo: Justin Simmons (2) makes the catch with Issac Velasquez (24) all over him.