Diamondback football returned in week two against Adelanto High School, and they proved to be too much for the opposing Saints as quarterback Payton Cornell went 11/16 over the air for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Serrano ended up defeating Adelanto 41-6.
The Saints got off to an early 0-6 lead against the Diamondbacks after Keith Reynolds returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown. But Serrano quickly answered back when Carlos Amplayo returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to tie the game. Serrano ended the first quarter up 13-6 and by halftime lead 35-6.
Starting the third quarter, the Saints received the kickoff and started their drive at their own 40. Quarterback De’jon Robinson completed an out route to Reynolds that put them into Serrano territory. Facing a third and 10, Robinson kept the ball and ran to his left until he was forced out inside Serrano’s red zone. With under ten minutes in the third, the Saints were facing another third and ten when Robinson threw the ball to his right towards a double-teamed receiver, only for it to be picked off by Serrano’s number 11, Tanner Chaffee.
Going the other way, the Diamondbacks quickly put themselves inside red zone territory after a 52-yard run by Cornell. Up against a second and long, Cornell threw a screen pass to Chaffee, who was lined up on the left side of the field. He caught and ran the ball up the middle and followed a wall of blockers in the offensive line for the touchdown—his second of the bout. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion, the game was 41-6.
Afterward, Serrano’s Head Coach Casey Maholchic said the defense really stood out this week. “The defense did just a great job of putting themselves in position to be successful.” The Diamondback’s had four interceptions, a fumble recovery, and two sacks while holding the Saint’s offense to no points. Two of the interceptions were pulled in by Chaffee, who, after two weeks, has three in the season.
Offensively the Diamondbacks had 353 yards. The leading rushers were Cornell, who had six carries for 89 yards, and number 32, Ron Elmidge, who had five carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. Reception leaders were Chaffee, who had five catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns, and number 22, Jacob Porter, who had three receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown.
After last week’s victory over the Eagles using the ground game and this week’s win showing they can also do it through the air, the Diamondbacks are proving to be a complete team. On September 3rd, they will face off against Carter High School in their first away game. Carter enters the contest 0-2.
Tanner Chaffee get an interception near the end zone, making it three already this season. Saints quarterback De’jon Robinson keeps the ball for a run in the third quarter, bringing them deep into Serrano territory. A motivated Serrano football team returns to field after halftime, leading 35-6. Jacob Porter gets one of his three receptions in the third quarter. He finished with 37 yards in the game.