Eastern Conference : Claremont Wins Second Straight Championship, 37-22

For a while, it appeared as if Claremont High School would have an easy time in its bid for a second straight CIF Southern Section Eastern Conference championship Friday night.

But after taking a 23-0 lead against Baseline League rival Damien early in the second quarter, Claremont had to struggle for a 37-22 victory before 8,000 fans Friday night at Citrus College.

“Coach (Dick) Larson should be complimented for his team coming back the way they did,” Claremont Coach Bob Baiz said. “They could have sat down and died for us after we got out in front but they didn’t.”

Claremont finished with a 13-1 record and has won 27 of its last 28 games. Damien is 9-5.

The Wolfpack used a one-yard sneak by quarterback Dan McGwire, a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Travis Watkins and a one-yard run by running back Dean Lambo to score three touchdowns in the first quarter.

Kicker Steve Bayer’s conversion attempt was blocked after the third touchdown, leaving the Wolfpack with a 20-0 lead at the end of the period. That also snapped Bayer’s CIF record streak of consecutive conversions at 81.

But Bayer, whose father had died Tuesday of natural causes, added a 37-yard field goal with 7:06 remaining in the half for a 23-0 lead.

Damien, whose offense struggled through the first 17 minutes of the first half, responded by driving 90 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown on its next possession.

Running back Eric Henley ran the final two yards for the touchdown, which made it 23-7. Henley’s score was set up by a 58-yard run by running back Chris Johnson from his 11-yard line.

After Watkins fumbled the ensuing kickoff at his 31, Damien closed the deficit to 23-14 four plays later. The touchdown came on an 18-yard pass from Bob Fresques to wide receiver Junior Pro with 1:19 remaining in the half.

Claremont used an 89-yard, 14-play drive to increase its lead to 30-14 in the third quarter. The Wolfpack scored on McGwire’s 11-yard pass to wide receiver Mike Dotson.

Damien made it 30-22 when Henley scored on a two-yard run and reserve quarterback Matt Burroughs connected with Fresques on a two-point conversion pass with 8:45 remaining.