The La Verne Leopards beat the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, 26-8, on Saturday at Merritt Field in Claremont, marking the team’s very first victory since Nov. 11, 2023.
Head coach Richard Sanchez credits the win to the offense’s performance.
“The overwhelming difference was that our offense was able to produce first downs and did a great job on third and they sustained some incredible drives with points at the end,” Sanchez said.
The Leopards’work is still not done, of course.
“We can’t just sit and continue to celebrate a victory even though it was epic in this program,” Sanchez said. “So now we got to get back and continue to improve.”
Junior running back Jimmy Rumsey scored a touchdown during the first quarter.
The victory against Pomona-Pitzer meant a lot to Rumsey as he has been with the team since his freshman year.
“It felt like a big weight lifted off of my shoulders… seeing all the progress in your hard work paying off,” Rumsey said.
Rumsey also felt happiness seeing his fellow teammates celebrate.
“Looking at how the team celebrated left me with so much happiness, one of the top three feelings I’ve ever had,” Rumsey said.
Throughout the game, sophomore kicker Joshua Workizer assisted the team with multiple successful field goals and extra point kicks.
“It felt amazing once time ran out and emotions were running through the roof, crying tears of joy,” Workizer said.
Workizer also said how gratifying the victory against the Sagehens’ was for the Leopards.
“All of us were just so proud and happy that we finally earned what we have been working so hard for,” Workizer said.
Junior running back Tyler McCown scored during the second and fourth quarter.
“We know what winning feels like and we want to continue to get that feeling week in and week out,” McCown said. “This only drives us more to keep going and winning.”
The Leopards are currently 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Conference. They will face the Redlands Bulldogs at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ortmayer Stadium.
—Karina Rodriguez
Karina Rodriguez is a senior journalism major with a concentration in broadcast journalism, and editor-in-chief of the Campus Times. She has previously served as sports editor, social media editor, arts editor and a staff writer.
