The Las Lomas Knights limped into their bye week, with losses in four of their first five games. Four consecutive road games had decimated the team, as one of the DFAL favorites had just a single win at the halfway point in the season.
However, even one good game can put a team back on the right track.
In the team’s first home game in over a month, Las Lomas came out firing on all cylinders, destroying Dougherty Valley 49-14 in the Knights’ homecoming game on Friday night.
Las Lomas will look to their D in the second half.
Photo by Gary Jones
“We got focused,” said Knights head coach Doug Longero. “We put a full game together. We really needed this.”
Las Lomas (2-4, 1-1) dominated the Wildcats (2-5, 0-3) from the outset, jumping to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter on the strength of three touchdown runs by junior Marquis Waters, who ended the night with 190 yards and four touchdowns. He also intercepted a pass on defense.
“That defense wasn’t going to stop us,” said Waters. “My line was great.”
Waters was one of three Knights to run for over 100 yards, as senior Michael Morgan ran for 110 and a touchdown and senior Chase Herring had 121 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown run. Herring also caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from senior Lucas Gorton.
“Everybody followed their assignments,” said Herring. “Holes opened up and I got where I needed to be.”
Las Lomas held the Wildcats to just 26 yards rushing, as the Knights defense stepped up. The 14 points for Dougherty Valley was the second lowest point total the Knights have given up all season.
“We’ve been working hard, and everyone was accountable tonight,” said senior Lucas Morello. “We plugged up the gaps and had good coverage most of the night.”
Many of the Knights contributed this victory to a better week of practice.
“We had a really good, high tempo week of practice,” said Morello. “Tonight, everyone did their jobs.”
Next week, the Knights will go back on the road in a huge DFAL matchup with first-place Alhambra, who is 3-0 in league play.
“We have to play well,” said Longero. “They’re going to be ready for us, and we’re going to be ready for them.”
