LA VERNE — There is never a dull moment with Damien quarterback Isaiah Arriaza, and he nearly led the Spartans to one heck of an improbable comeback.

Arriaza’s 40-yard Hail Mary as time expired to Travon Garrison stunned Rancho Cucamonga, leaving the Spartans a two-point conversion away from sending the game to overtime.

But Rancho Cucamonga came up with the stop as Arriaza’s game-tying pass sailed away, allowing the Cougars to hold on for a 24-22 victory.

Rancho Cucamonga’s James Strong finished with 198 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Jacob Chambers threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Strong said he was stunned as the Spartans had come back after trailing 24-9 in the fourth quarter, and had a chance to send it to overtime.

“I can’t lie, I couldn’t watch,” S

See Full Page