Upland breaks losing streak to Rancho Cucamonga

Upland Coach Tim Salter breathed a deep sigh of relief, let out a few laughs, smiled and nodded.

Yes, his team’s 31-17 win over Rancho Cucamonga on Friday meant more than your average victory.

“It meant quite a bit,” Salter said.

That’s because Rancho Cucamonga had beaten Upland four straight times, including twice in 2008.

But in a matchup of undefeated Baseline League foes, the Highlanders (7-0, 2-0) dominated the Cougars (6-1, 1-1), who had given up a total of only 43 points coming into the game.

“We have a dangerous offense, a lot of weapons everywhere,” said Upland running back Donta Abron Jr., who rushed for 146 yards in 23 carries.

“Opposing defenses can never know what we’re going to throw at them.”

Upland, which entered as The Times’ No. 10-ranked team, stayed on the ground more than passed — and most of those runs went around, rather than through, Rancho Cucamonga, The Times’ No. 21 team, and its imposing defensive line.

The Highlanders’ Nate Romine threw only seven passes in the second half, completing four, but two of those went for pivotal touchdowns.

Receiver Kenny Lawler caught a 65-yard touchdown heave in the third quarter to put Upland ahead, 24-10, after the Cougars had cut that lead to seven points. On the following possession, Rancho Cucamonga answered with a six-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a 17-yard run from quarterback Dimitri Morales, who completed 10 of 19 passes for 127 yards and added 114 rushing yards in 11 carries.

But Romine, who was 11 for 19 for 180 passing yards and two touchdowns, answered on the next drive with an eight-yard scoring pass to Anthony Romero.

“We’ve been in a lot of battles this year with a lot of tough teams,” Salter said, “and I really think that prepared us for this game.”

baxter.holmes@latimes.com