Football Recap: Isaiah Arriaza's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Damien over Rancho Cucamonga

If Damien was feeling good fresh off their 40-18 takedown of Salesian two weeks ago, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Spartans fell just short of the Rancho Cucamonga Cougars by a score of 24-22 on Friday. The Spartans were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Cougars apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in November of 2024.

Several Spartans players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Isaiah Arriaza, who threw for 200 yards and a pair of TDs, and also rushed for 54 yards. Malachi McFarland was another key back, rushing for 77 yards and one touchdown on only five carries.

Even if they lost, Damien's defense still kept up the pressure with 7.5 sacks. Declan Becher refused to say out of the backfield, picking up four sacks all by himself. Damien got some further help from Becher: he picked up four sacks and made 11 total tackles.

Rancho Cucamonga's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but James Strong III led the charge by rushing for 106 yards and one score on only 14 carries, while also picking up 96 receiving yards and one TD. Strong III's longest reception was for an incredible 76 yards. Rancho Cucamonga also got a significant boost from Jacob Chambers, who ran away from the competition to the tune of 85 yards.

Having lost for the first time this season, Damien fell to 5-1. As for Rancho Cucamonga, the win was their first on the road , bumping their record up to 2-4.

Damien and Rancho Cucamonga should be looking forward to their upcoming games as both have a sizable advantage in the MaxPreps California Rankings. The Spartans (ranked 33rd) will meet Etiwanda (ranked 203rd) at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Meanwhile, Rancho Cucamonga will take on Upland at 7:00 p.m. on Friday with a big rank advantage (29 vs. 255).