Diamond Bar holds off Paloma in second half, 35-20

Diamond Bar High used two second-half touchdowns and a solid defensive effort to score a 35-20 victory over host Paloma Valley Friday night, spoiling the Wildcats’ Homecoming game.

Paloma Valley (3-2) kept the score close at halftime with a late second-quarter touchdown, cutting the Brahmas’ lead to 21-12. However, Diamond Bar scored quickly on the first possession of the third quarter on a touchdown catch by Bryan Vu, padding the lead to 27-12.

The next series featured the running talents of Wildcats senior Keegan Kelley. He had runs of 46, 9, 12 and 1 yard to set up his own 1-yard touchdown run. A successful 2-point PAT pass cut the deficit to 27-20 with plenty of time remaining.

After holding Diamond Bar on the next possession, Paloma Valley drove from its own 20-yard line to midfield before the drive stalled, forcing a punt. Moments later, Diamond Bar took a 35-20 lead on a 58-yard run by Kai Jenkins, plus a 2-point PAT.

Using big gains by sophomore Arthur Clemons, the Wildcats moved to the Diamond Bar 27 before Brady Nelson’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete in the end zone. Diamond Bar took over and ran out the clock.

Next Friday the Wildcats are at home again, this time to host Orange Vista.