The Wolfpack beat the Covina High School Colts, in their third non-league game,  52-19, at home on Friday, September 19. CHS students dressed in all white for the “white out” theme and gathered in the student parking lot for a tailgate before the game.

“Some people were eating, others were listening to music but everyone was just really excited for the white out game,” senior Emily Spivack said.

With wins against Salesian and Mountain View High Schools, the Wolfpack continued to work hard at their practices to prepare for the game against Covina.

“With the heat, it was difficult to practice and the schedule was mixed up,” senior quarterback Ryan O’Connor said. “But we got a good practice in on Wednesday night and prepared as best as we could.”  

The Colts kicked off the ball and the Wolfpack immediately showed their fighting spirit, taking the Colts to their 20-yard line within the first five minutes of the first quarter. The Wolfpack took the lead with a four-yard rushing touchdown by sophomore running back Duy Tran-Sampson. CHS was up 7-0 by the end of the first quarter.

Within the first five minutes of the second quarter, Tran-Sampson scored again by running a seven yard rushing touchdown to give the Wolfpack a 14-0 lead. The Colts immediately responded with a long pass that gave them a 50-yard gain, allowing them to score a touchdown. Senior tight end Parker Bowman blocked the Colts’ additional point and the Colts’ were down 14-6.

The Wolfpack played with more zeal following the Colts’ touchdown and slowly made their way back to the two-yard line by aggressively attacking the holes in the Colts’ defense. Tran-Sampson scored yet another touchdown, putting the Pack ahead, 21-6. The Colts continued to make short passes, only to be stopped by CHS defenders. The Colts were forced to punt the ball for a second time, and the Pack was back on offense.
With five seconds left in the first half, and CHS was on the 35 yard line, quarterback O’Connor threw a perfect spiral into the air, and senior wide receiver Jordan Goodrich sprinted down the right side of the field with a Covina defender chasing him. Once in the end zone, the ball landed perfectly in Jordan Goodrich’s hands, and thundering cheers erupted from the Claremont Crazies. The Wolfpack was up 28-6 at the end of the first half.

“Everybody was starting to feel confident,” Bowman said. “All of the captains told everybody to settle down because the game wasn’t ours yet.”

With even more intensity than the first half, the Wolfpack had full control of the third quarter. At the 25-yard line, O’Connor threw a 75-yard pass to Goodrich making the game 35-6, Claremont. CHS defense stopped the Colts, and kicker Jacob Olesniewicz kicked a field goal at the 35-yard line, putting CHS far ahead at 38-6.

Unable to get the first down, the Colts attempted to punt, only to be blocked by junior fullback Markelle Davis. Senior linebacker James Stephens, also known as the “heavy hitter,” then picked up the ball and ran it to the end zone for a defensive touchdown.

A few plays later, freshman linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu scored a defensive touchdown to give Claremont a 52-6 lead. Covina scored a touchdown at the end of the third as well as at the end of the fourth quarters, making the final score 52-19, Claremont.

When asked about how he felt about Friday night’s win, CHS Head Coach Mike Collins said, “Our team played with great intensity all four quarters and our offensive line opened huge holes all night for our running backs.”  

CHS will be playing an away game tonight, Friday, September 26 against Bell Gardens.

“They are a very tough, hard-hitting team and we are expecting a war!” Coach Collins said.

—Andrew Im

[Editor’s note: Andrew Im is a senior year at Claremont High School. This is his first year on the Wolfpacket staff. He is an avid golfer, playing on the school’s golf team at the varsity level. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with “his tribe of close friends.” —KD]