HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION III : Diamond Bar Overcomes Newbury Park

Newbury Park High’s record-setting passing game disappeared Saturday night, and Diamond Bar found itself on cloud nine after defeating the Panthers, 30-21, to win the Southern Section Division III championship before 10,500 at Moorpark College.

Chris Czernek set a state record with 4,362 passing yards this season, but he could not bring Newbury Park (13-1) its second unbeaten championship season in three years.

“We should have won,” said Eddie Patterson, a Newbury Park wide receiver and defensive back. “I don’t know what to say or what to feel.”

Diamond Bar (14-0) overcame a 21-17 Newbury Park lead early in the third quarter with an 80-yard pass from quarterback Tim Ruiz to tight end Brian Surgener.

The Brahmas never relinquished.

Newbury Park had five more possessions, but never moved the ball past midfield. Czernek completed 13 of 24 passes for 190 yards, but threw four interceptions.

He blamed himself for the loss.

“Sometimes our receivers are doing one thing and I am doing something else,” he said. “And that’s what cost us the game.”

Diamond Bar’s defensive backs were several inches shorter than the Newbury Park receivers.

“They were physically stronger and faster, but football is a game played with emotion, heart and desire,” Diamond Bar Coach Terry Roche said. “And my kids have more guts than anybody in Southern California.”

Tailback Lathian Tyler rushed for 119 yards in 22 carries and scored the final touchdown on a five-yard run with 1:39 to play.

Newbury Park forced four turnovers, including one by Tyler on a vicious hit by linebacker Brant Diediker early in the third quarter. Brian Nelson recovered at the Diamond Bar 10-yard line, and Brock Diediker scored on a sweep on the next play to give Newbury Park a short-lived 21-17 lead.

Surgener’s long touchdown on a post pattern came three plays later.

Afterward, Newbury Park Coach George Hurley handed Roche a Panther cap that read, “14-0” on the back, then spoke in glowing terms about his team.

“They prepared for us well, but overall we had an unforgettable season,” he said.