Carmona has a big night for Ganesha in victory
Ganesha football coach Donald Cayer said his phone and social media pages have been blowing up since the Giants defeated Pomona 48-34 in a nonleague game Friday night.
This happens when your team takes down one of your crosstown rivals for the first time in more than a quarter of a century.
“Let’s be honest, for a long time Ganesha has been kind of the red-headed stepchild here in Pomona when it comes to football,” said Cayer, who also is the school’s athletic director. “Now, the program is in a good place and that is an exciting thing to be a part of.
“To do this at homecoming with a big crowd there to see it was absolutely amazing. I have been getting messages of congratulations for what we did. I tell everybody this isn’t just for this team. It’s for everyone — all of the alumni, administration and supporters — who helped get us to this point.”
Jesse Carmona turned in one of the finest performances of his career, rushing for 300 yards and five touchdowns while also throwing for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Carmona got Ganesha (1-2) off to a great start, as he ran 85 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. He added touchdown runs of 4, 65, 38 and 21 yards and threw touchdown passes of 19 and 63 yards to Khalil Randall. Carmona also kicked six extra points and played safety on defense.
“He is a great player and just an outstanding person,” Cayer said of Carmona. “He has a core GPA of 4.3, is always on the honor roll, and I think he also was named the homecoming king... because why wouldn’t he be?”
Other highlights
RANCHO CUCAMONGA 31, VALENCIA 28 >> Xavier Washington completed 24 of 38 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns as the Cougars (2-1) won a nonleague game Friday. Isaiah Lopez caught seven passes for 152 yards, while Jonah Dawson hauled in eight catches for 127 yards.
APPLE VALLEY 59, VICTOR VALLEY 0 >> Jayden Denegal threw four touchdowns and rushed for another as the Sun Devils (2-2) cruised in the annual “Bell Game” against Victor Valley on Friday. Kaleb Most rushed for one touchdown and caught a touchdown pass from Denegal. Apple Valley has won 10 consecutive games in this rivalry.
ETIWANDA 51, GREAT OAK 16 >>
Saipeti Maiava and Damonte Swift each rushed for a pair of touchdowns as the Eagles (40) rolled to a nonleague win Friday. Zach Congalton also threw two touchdown pass for Etiwanda.
SAN JACINTO 38, TEMESCAL CANYON 20 >> Malachi Brown rushed for three touchdowns as the Tigers (3-1) won a nonleague game Friday. Dereun Dortch threw a pair of touchdown passes for San Jacinto, and David Myers added 108 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Koa Apana threw two touchdown pass for Temescal Canyon.
BEAUMONT 58, BANNING 0 >>
Christopher Cooper threw for 278 yards and four touchdowns as the Cougars (4-0) won the annual “War for the Wheel Game” on Friday. Armando Cuellar rushed for three touchdowns in the victory. Beaumont has won five consecutive games in the rivalry series.
CHAPARRAL 44, SANTIAGO 16 >> Hunter Roddy rushed for 205 yards on 22 carries and scored four touchdowns as the Pumas (2-1) won a nonleague game Friday.
CHINO HILLS 27, CHARTER OAK 7 >> Jermar Jackson rushed for three touchdowns as the Huskies (2-2) won a nonleague game Friday.
LAKESIDE 21, PATRIOT 7 >> Desean Norwood rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns as the Lancers (3-1) won a nonleague game Friday.
JURUPA HILLS 52, FONTANA 0>> Andray Freeman threw three touchdown passes as the Spartans (3-0) rolled to a nonleague victory Thursday. Jordan Napier, Kamron Taylor and Terrell Stoker each scored two touchdowns.
CHAFFEY 20, BLOOMINGTON 18 >> Nick Muratalla rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers win a nonleague game Thursday.