Diamond Bar’s Diminutive Running Backs Slice Through El Dorado

FULLERTON —  Terry Roche insists his Diamond Bar football team is young and will have a difficult time surviving the Sierra League this fall. But he might have trouble convincing El Dorado of that after getting stampeded by the Brahmas, 31-14, Thursday at Valencia High.

The pocket-sized backfield of Scott Williams and Lathian Tyler helped Diamond Bar improve to 1-1. Neither is bigger than 5 feet 8, 160 pounds, yet they combined for 217 rushing and 65 passing yards. Tyler also scored twice, on runs of five and 47 yards.

Erik Stidham wasn’t quite as brilliant at quarterback--he completed six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown and an interception. But the Brahmas’ defense harassed El Dorado starter Mike Marzicola into three interceptions and forced two fumbles. The five turnovers were converted into 17 points.

“This can be a decent team,” Roche said. “We’ve got young kids but good attitudes.”

El Dorado Coach Rick Jones lost more than a season opener. He was nearly reduced to asking for volunteers Thursday: seven players, five of them two-way starters, watched from the sidelines because of injuries, reducing the available roster to 30. During the game, the Golden Hawks lost receiver Kirk Badii after a 16-yard catch because of an injured shoulder.

“The second and third teams did the best they could,” said Jones, who already called up reinforcements from the junior varsity this week. “And when you’re a young team learning how to win, sometimes you have to be stomped in the process. We’re young and we play like it. Right now we need some of our guys to step up and take some initiative.”

In the second quarter, Stidham completed a 32-yard touchdown toss to Andrew Hackett, who outraced his defender down the right sideline for a 7-0 lead.

El Dorado--which suffered through a miserable half, getting more penalty yards (73) than offense (38)--got an immediate lift from Richie Williams, who returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for the Golden Hawks’ lone score in the half. But as soon as the Brahmas got the ball back, they rumbled 63 yards in nine plays, Jeremy Ruiz capping the drive with a touchdown from two yards.