Alta Loma Stands Up to Test

Alta Loma’s defense came up big in the closing minutes Thursday night and the Braves, ranked 18th in the region by The Times, defeated Upland, 19-14, in a nonleague game at Chaffey High School.

Upland’s Josh Carle recovered a fumble and returned it to Alta Loma’s eight-yard line with 5:29 remaining in the game. But the Highlanders (1-3) failed to score on four consecutive runs by Geramie Bascomb.

Upland, which beat Alta Loma twice last year and won the Southern Section Division II title, took a 14-0 lead on its first two possessions on touchdown runs by quarterback Vinnie Hare and running back Martin Harris.

Alta Loma (5-0) pulled to within 14-13 when quarterback Ryan Stickler connected with Robert Herbert for an 80-yard pass in the third quarter.

The Braves took the lead on a 16-yard pass from Stickler to tight end Josh Smith with 8:38 left.

Kameron Hart finished with 141 yards in eight carries, including an 80-yard touchdown run.