Junior Midgets ace first round of regional playoffs

The Ramona Jr. Midget Guard Dawgs went into the first round of WESCON regional playoffs this week against the Mt. Baldy Conference winners. The Dawgs took on the Diamond Bar Wolf Pack and won 36–6.

A new season begins in the playoffs. Records go out the window, and it is a win-or-go-home situation every time a team steps onto the field. The Guard Dawgs attacked fast and often in the first quarter of play.

In the first play of the game, the Dawgs scored on a 70-yard run by Brandon Gansch. Then in the first kickoff of the game, Beau Bailey and Ben Barnnet recovered the ball to give the Guard Dawgs great field position and opportunity for another Gansh touchdown. That tally came less than three minutes after the start of the game and the Guard Dawgs were in front, 16-0.

Coaches credited great play once again from the Dawg offensive line of Ben Hine, Colton Jansen, Kory Hine, Keyshaun Crichlow, Skyler Monaghan, Chad Nelson, Shane Poland, Kellan Akins and Lee Hernandez.

The Guard Dawg defense was again all over the field. The Diamond Bar quarterback was sacked three times by Ben Barnnet, Jacob Loux and Ben Hine. These pressures also led to three interceptions by Jacob Loux, Colton Jansen and Garret Dart. The backfield of Justin Villagrana and Travis Kerchner put extreme pressure on the Diamond Bar receivers, with the help of the line Nigel Castillo, Daniel Fieger and Tony Maccini.

During the second half of play, Ramona opened up the offense and went to the air over the Wolf Pack. Quarterback Jordan Narramore hooked up with tight end Wyatt Kent for a 30-yard touchdown and wide receiver Keyans Cricholow in the corner of the end zone in the 4th quarter for another score.

Kicker Cesar Marinez was on fire on his kicking game, nailing the extra points and keeping Diamond Bar deep in their territory.

Head Coach Jason McGhee had this to say: I’m at a loss for words. This is just amazing, just so amazing to come this far. Once again, our team stepped up to the challenge.”

The Ramona Pop Warner Guard Dawgs who are representing the Palomar Conference now move on to the semi-finals in Parker Arizona to face the Arizona representative the Dear Valley Crusaders. The game is Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. at Parker High School.

Ramona is down to the final 4 teams, with the winner representing WESCON at the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando, Fla.