The Claremont High School varsity football team traveled to play rival Damien High School on Friday, September 9. Following Damien’s antics in past years, tension remained heated leading up to the game, but the Spartans shut every open door on the Pack; Claremont’s defense was not enough for the Damien offense, and the Spartans put away the Pack by a score of 38-7.

The Spartans were blistering hot coming out of the gate, and concluded their first drive of the game with a field goal kicked by senior Gabriel Castellano to put them up 3-0. Damien proceeded to take advantage of Claremont’s offensive miscues during the Pack’s first drive stopping Claremont after a few short gains. With the ball back in Spartan hands they scored on a 28-yard touchdown pass from ju

nior quarterback Warren Bryan to senior receiver Josh Bryan. The point-after attempt by Castellano was good, and the Pack found themselves trailing by ten points at the end of the first quarter.

Damien continued the trend at the beginning of the second quarter, scoring on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Bryan to junior receiver Mikey McCauley, with a successful point-after attempt. Down 17-0, the Pack was not able to contain the Spartans, allowing two more long touchdown passes to senior receiver Brandon Burchfield. At the end of the half, Damien led by a score of 31-0.

By the beginning of the third quarter, the damage had been done for the Claremont team, and they were not able to bring themselves back into the game. However, on fourth down and long for the Pack with 1:20 left in the quarter, senior punter and receiver Milik Slayton scored on a fake punt, carrying the pigskin for 80 yards and getting Claremont on the board. Sophomore kicker Cole Weaver was successful on the point-after attempt, and Claremont reduced the lead to 31-7.

Damien scored again early in the fourth quarter on a carry by quarterback Bryan for a touchdown, with a successful point-after attempt, and the score remained 38-7 for the rest of the game.

Claremont’s record currently sits at 0-3, and there are adjustments to be made before league starts on October 6. The Pack will play at Pomona High School on Friday, September 16, where they will aim for their first win of the year.

—Nathan Rodriguez

GIRLS GOLF

Claremont is off to a great start going undefeated in the first four matches of the season. The girls won two competitions against Ayala High School to start the season. Team captain and senior Allison Gallegos set a school record with a 34, two under par, at Marshall Canyon on August 30 against Ayala.  

Tuesday the Pack beat St. Lucy’s 268-218 at Azusa Greens Golf Course. Junior Maryn Santiago and senior Vanessa Lopez tied for the lowest scores each with a 39, four over par.  

“We have a great mix of veterans and new golfers on our team,” Said Coach Octavio Hernandez.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Flintridge Sacred Heart girls volleyball narrowly edged out Claremont in a match that came down to a tiebreaker last Thursday in Claremont. Flintridge won the first two sets, 32-30 and 25-22, but Claremont came right back to win the next two, 25-19 and 28-26. Flintridge prevailed in the tiebreaker 15-10 to win the match 3-2.

BOYS WATER POLO

The Pack defeated visiting Notre Dame 17-9 on Tuesday in Claremont bringing their early season record to 4-2. Next up for the Pack is Oaks Christian on September 22.

WEBB BOYS WATER POLO

Webb boys varsity water polo defeated Granite Hills 18-4. Mitchell Fargo had seven goals and three assists for the Gauls. Phil Kraus had four goals,

Stephen Silides had three goals and two assists. Webb, who went all the way to the quarterfinal game in last year’s CIF tournament is now 2-7 and will compete in the Los Altos Tournament beginning this weekend.