LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne football team came out strong and showed continued growth in all three phases despite a 34–12 loss to Pomona-Pitzer in front of a Homecoming crowd at Ortmayer Stadium. The Leopards struck twice in the first quarter and forced multiple early turnovers, building a 12–2 lead before the Sagehens took control in the second half.
La Verne wasted no time seizing momentum. On the opening kickoff,
Alex Tran jarred the ball loose and
Brak Hill recovered at the Pomona-Pitzer 41-yard line. Six plays later, junior quarterback
Ahmias Hart found
Jimmy Rumsey for a 16-yard touchdown, giving La Verne a quick 6–0 lead. On the ensuing PAT, Pomona-Pitzer intercepted a two-point conversion attempt and returned it for a defensive score, trimming the margin to 6–2.
The Leopards kept the pressure on. On the next Sagehen drive, senior defensive lineman
Marlin Brown broke through for a sack and forced fumble, recovered by
JonLuke Vega at the Pomona-Pitzer 14.
Tyler McCown capitalized three plays later with a 6-yard touchdown run, putting La Verne ahead 12–2 less than five minutes into the game.
For the rest of the quarter, La Verne's defense continued to swarm. Jonathan Scott led all players with 10 tackles, while
D'Artangion Martin added 8, and Brown contributed a sack and forced fumble.
Justin Mondini picked off a pass in the third, and the Leopards combined for six pass breakups to showcase a secondary that made life difficult for the Sagehens.
Pomona-Pitzer settled in during the second quarter, using short fields and a turnover on downs inside the five to take advantage. The Sagehens scored 17 points in the frame to take a 19–12 halftime lead, then added three second-half touchdowns to seal the win.
Despite the outcome, the Leopards displayed their best offensive balance of the season. McCown finished with 103 all-purpose yards, 77 rushing on 15 carries (5.1 avg) and 26 receiving on six catches. Hart went 15-for-27 for 93 yards and a touchdown, while junior QB
Brian Rudden added 67 yards on 7-of-12 passing in relief. Tight end
Julian Martinez led all receivers with six receptions for 36 yards, while Rumsey contributed four catches for 34 yards and a score. Senior wideout
Ronald Banks chipped in two catches for 27 yards and five kick returns for 89 yards, including a 33-yard burst.
Jomar Brown finished with two breakups and five tackles.
Joshua Workizer was effective in the field-position battle, averaging 34.1 per kick, including a 61-yard bomb and two punts downed inside the 20.
La Verne (0–3, 0–2 SCIAC) returns to action next Saturday when they host Cal Lutheran at 1 p.m.
