Neighbor News
Thigpen, Spartans Runs Past Roosevelt, 31-28
Dylen Thigpen runs for three scores as Damien squeaks past a pesky Roosevelt Mustang team led by Andrew LaBruna 226 yard 3 TD Performance
It was the visitors, however who drew first blood, as it scored twice in the first quarter, culminating in Christopher Newman’s 7-yard run with 2:34 to go in the first stanza to take an early 14-0 lead.
Thigpen, who also caught a 5-yard scoring pass from sophomore quarterback Warren Bryan, scored on runs of 5 and 9 yards, respectively in successive possession in the second quarter, while shutting out Roosevelt to retake the 17-14 lead going into halftime.
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“We just couldn’t stop them in (especially) the first quarter,” Damien head coach Mark Paredes said. “We got going (by scoring three times) and we finally caught them. Roosevelt is a very good team, give them credit.”
Andrew LaBruna led the way for the Mustangs, going 19 of 33 for 226 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another 54 yards on seven carries and a score.
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Trailing 24-21, it was LaBruna who engineered the comeback, scoring twice, including Newman’s 2-yard run as the third quarter ends to regain the lead 28-24.
The Spartan’s defense tighten up, picking off La Bruna, and then caused Roosevelt’s Nick Villasenor to fumble at the 35. A personal foul penalty gave Damien the ball at the 25 where Thigpen and company methodically marched down the field for the go ahead score, culminating on Thigpen’s third rushing score of the evening from six yards out.
“They fumbled, and we got a pick,” Paredes said. “(Although) they played very well, that is what carried us in the second half.”
The Mustangs were not done yet as they were given one last shot to tie the game on a personal foul penalty with three seconds to go. The potential tying field goal attempt fell just short as Damien escaped with the victory to open its season 1-0.
Damien visits Charter Oak (1-1) next Friday. Kickoff is at 7pm
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