POMONA – Senior football season wasn’t all the class wanted in 2021, but for a while it was more than they expected.
For the seniors of Chino High School, the reward came from hard work.
The Cowboys (3-2, 3-0) finished a title in the Sierra League with a 45-7 win over Pomona (0-4, 0-3) at the end of the season. It was Chino’s first championship title since winning the mountain. Baldy League in 2012.
“Since October when the district let us start training, the seniors have done hard work and it has paid off,” said Chino trainer Joey LaRosa.
Senior quarterback Trey Harris said, “It feels really good. I really think COVID brought us together. “
Chino had 13 seniors while Pomona only had one and the outcome of the game was decided early.
The Cowboys led 23-0 in less than three minutes, scored four touchdowns before Pomona had played four offensive games, and led 38-0 by the end of the first quarter.
“I think this is the first coaching game where we got 38 points in the first quarter,” said LaRosa.
Joseph Dejulia (56 yards) and John Dejulia (33 yards) each had quick touchdowns, Harris tossed Trevion Kimbrough (42 and 28 yards) two touchdown passes, Dylan Leach pulled out a Pomona receiver and gave it for one in the first quarter Touchdown back. The Dejulias only had one carry in the game and Harris attempted only three passes.
Chino then pulled out most of his starters.
“It’s a little bit bittersweet,” Harris admitted. “Because we’re playing so well at the moment, I’d like to keep playing. But I want to play (in college). I will bring out my highlights and keep working. “
Pomona was only fit for 26 players, including a dozen or so newcomers, and lost two starters to injuries last week.
“We only had two people with university experience,” said Pomona coach Leonard Hudson. “These guys now have a good dose of what it takes.”
One of those newbies is quarterback Noahsaiah Frisco, who started slowly. He lost a fumble and an intercept but rallied to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He completed passes of 51 and 17 yards before embarking on an 8-yard touchdown run.
“He’s a tremendous talent,” said Hudson of Frisco. “And he only came to us in December. We’re going to be pretty good in a couple of years. “
But for now, fame was just chinos.
“We only have four or five weeks off, then it’s time for the spring ball,” said LaRosa.
