Amat Is a Winner Against Damien

If there was a room filled with Southern California high school football powerhouses, La Puente Bishop Amat would have a seat in the center of the front row.

Any school that has won five Southern Section championships, has the state’s third-winningest record and football alumni that includes Pat Haden, John Sciarra, Eric Bieniemy and Daylon McCutcheon deserves a seat up front.

Lately, however, the Lancers have been pushed out of the room. On Friday night, they showed why they might be ready for readmittance.

Bishop Amat stopped an eight-game losing streak dating to last season with a 24-19 victory over La Verne Damien behind the 210-yard passing performance of quarterback Michael Lange.

The victory was a relief to Bishop Amat’s players, coaches and the supporters that still come out in droves, as evidenced by a near-capacity crowd. But with a schedule that includes a game at Concord De La Salle next week, some wondered if the Lancers would win at all in 2000.

“Everyone I talked to has been supportive. I haven’t had anyone that I know that’s questioned what we’re doing.” said Bishop Amat Coach Mike DiFiori, who is in his second season with the Lancers.

Bishop Amat may have stumbled upon its latest star in Lange, who made his first varsity start against Damien (1-3) as DiFiori moved Shane Russell to tailback.

Lange completed four of six passes for 137 yards in the first half.

Russell put Bishop Amat ahead, 24-13, with a 74-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“I wanted to get Mike some time and we figured that game four would be a good week to get him,” DiFiori said. “I think we did some good things offensively. We made some plays. Mike and Shane played well.”

The good feelings may not last long. Bishop Amat travels to De La Salle to face arguably the nation’s finest program. It will be a return home for DiFiori, who played for the Spartans and took part in what is now a national-record 104-game win streak.

“I think it’s going to be a huge test next week,” DiFiori said. “It’s going to be fun to go back to the same place I played at.”