Photo by Chris Mora

LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne football team hadn't seen action since November 2019 but there was no sign of rust on Saturday as the Leopards opened the 2021 season.

The Leopards dominated every phase of the game in their long-awaited return to Ortmayer Stadium, rolling past the Whittier College Poets 42-0 in front of a packed house.

La Verne generated 507 yards of total offense while holding the Poets to just 190 yards. The Leopard defense held Whittier to negative five rushing yards. 

Two Leopard quarterbacks saw extensive action in the win. Sophomore Miguel Aguero Jr. got the start under center completing 9-17 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown. He connected on a 79-yard pass to Spencer Pool late in the second quarter to put the Leopards up 22-0. The Schurr High School product got the Leopards rolling with 1:32 left in the opening quarter when he scampered for a seven-yard touchdown run. He connected with Jonathon Torres on the two-point conversion to give his squad the opening 8-0 lead. 

Newcomer Tyrone Williams Jr. stepped in at quarterback in the second half and led a pair of scoring drives. The transfer from Azusa Pacific showed he is a force to be respected in the SCIAC. The 6-5, 235-pound senior scored his first points as a Leopard midway through the third quarter rushing for a four-yard score to extend the lead to 35-0. He later led a 95-yard fourth-quarter drive capped by a 42-yard pass and run connection to Abel Cueva to put the final stamp on the win. Cueva finished the game with 50 receiving yards.

The La Verne defense was not to be outdone. On the Poets opening drive of the second half, linebacker Derek Guzman knocked the ball loose from Whittier receiver Moises Gonzalez. Freshman linebacker Vitale Afoa scooped up the fumbled ball and sprinted 32 yards to the end zone to put the Leopards up by 28. That wasn't the only time Guzman caused havoc for the Whittier offense. Early in the second quarter with the Poets inside the red zone, Guzman picked off Whittier quarterback Andrew Henriquez and darted 63 yards to the Poets' 34-yard line. La Verne capitalized three plays later when Ezra Tom Hoon rushed 19 yards to the end zone. Guzman added two and a half tackles for losses and totaled three tackles.

Pool had a banner game finishing with 107 yards on four receptions including his 79-yard touchdown haul. Nathaniel Sagastume nearly broke the century mark himself, catching six passes for 94 yards including a long of 21 yards.

Cueva had a solid game on the ground for La Verne. The freshman from El Monte led the Leopards with 78 yards on the ground on seven carries with a long of 35 yards. Daushin Wright totaled 54 yards on 11 touches and Tom Hoon finished with 37 yards.

Former Bishop Amat Lancer Mason Montanez led the Leopards with five tackles and snagged his first interception of the year late in the third quarter with the Poets threatening in La Verne's territory. Raymond Moronez added an early spark for the Leopards when he picked off Henriquez on Whittier's second drive of the game.

Tyler Martin caused issues in the Poets' backfield, ending the game with a sack and two tackles for losses. Kelvin Richards finished with four tackles and one breakup and Tyler Le added four tackles of his own.

Kapena Kamakawiwoole was a perfect 4-4 on PAT attempts.

Next Game

The Leopards return to action this Saturday when they travel to Chapman for a 7 p.m. matchup. Both the opener against Whittier and this Saturday's game against Chapman are non-conference games. The Leopards will face the Poets and Panthers a second time this season. Chapman opened the year with a 35-23 win over Pacific.