A crucial stop late in the fourth quarter Friday night sealed a 17-12 season opening win for Claremont High over visiting Capistrano Valley Christian.

After a 99-yard touchdown drive midway through the fourth, the Eagles were back in the game, trailing 17-12. With 6:06 to go, Capistrano returned an onside kick to Claremont’s 33 yard line. The Eagles drove all the way to the one-yard line, but the Wolfpack defense held firm, culminating with defensive end Jordan Fyffe stopping Capistrano’s ball carrier for a six-yard loss.

Claremont High varsity quarterback Carter Montgomery, 21, is pressured during Friday’s season opening 17-12 win over Capistrano Valley Christian. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“The last stop by our defense was very impressive,” said Wolfpack’s head coach Jake Caron. “It showed a lot of character, a lot of gut.”

Caron said the team fought through clock management and play calling issues throughout the game. “I’m just really proud of the players to play through that … and I think that was encapsulated with our almost three downs worth of stops within the two-yard line to seal the game.”

Claremont got on the board first when quarterback Cater Montgomery found wide receiver Max Leeper in the end zone. The point after made it 7-0 late in the first quarter.

Capistrano responded immediately to start the second quarter when Luke Vincent made a 60-yard run into the end zone. A blocked extra point attempt kept the score 7-6. Claremont added a field goal to make it 10-6.

Capistrano cornerback Luke Vincent works to bring down Claremont receiver Kingston Fajardo on Friday. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Wide receiver Doug Yegge took a pass into the end zone on the Wolfpack’s first drive of the third quarter, making it 17-6.

The Eagles put up six more points on a 99-yard drive, capping the scoring at 17-12.

Claremont’s next game is at 7 p.m. Friday, August 29 at Diamond Bar High School, 21400 Pathfinder Rd.