Damien falls on late touchdown pass

LA VERNE >> Desmin Jackson caught an 18-yard pass from Logan Gonzalez in overtime to lead visiting Orange Lutheran to a 41-38 win over Damien on Friday night.

It appeared as if Damien (12) was on its way to victory as Jaiden Moss scored on a 3 yard run with 1:03 left in the fourth quarter for a 35-28 Spartans lead.

However Jackson caught an 18yard pass from Gonzalez with 17.6 seconds left that tied the score at 35 and forced OT.

Moss rushed for 65 yards on nine carries.

Damien junior quarterback Dylan Gutierrez had one of the biggest nights of his career as he completed 23 of 35 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

Gonzalez was 18 for 32 for 301 yards and four touchdowns.

The first quarter was dominated by the offensive units with both teams scoring on their first two possessions and combining for 313 total yards.

The Lancers scored on the second play of the game when Gonzalez connected with Malik Blackmon on a 61-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 Lancers lead.

Damien responded on its opening drive as Dylan Gutierrez threw a 28-yard strike to Ayden Gutierrez that tied the game at 7.

Orange Lutheran found the end zone on its next offensive series, going 75 yards on four plays that culminated with a touchdown with 6:25 left in the quarter for a 14-7 lead.

Damien tied the game at 14 on the ensuing drive as Gutierrez connected with Roman Toilolo for a 40-yard scoring pass with 2:52 remaining in the quarter.

Both teams’ defensive units buckled down in the second quarter with the Lancers taking a 2114 lead on the strength of a 13 yard scoring pass from Gonzalez to Kaleb Marshall with 40 seconds remaining in the half.