CHINO — Jake Duronslet was happy to have his sidekick back.
Joseph Rangel missed the previous two games because of a concussion, but the junior running back returned to action Friday night and ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns to help the Covina football team wrap up its second straight Sierra League championship with a 49-27 victory over Chino.
“I was a little nervous, to be honest. Coming back from a concussion, you wonder how that first hit is going to feel,” said Rangel, who carried the ball 28 times Friday night. “After that first one, I just kept running even harder.”
Rangel’s return allowed Duronslet to create some big plays with his arm and his legs. Duronslet passed for 120 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for 105 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“It was great to have JoJo back out here. He’s a great running back and really runs the ball hard,” Duronslet said. “Shout out to our O-line for their work and getting the running game going.”
Covina (6-4, 3-0 in league) started the 2022 season with three losses, but first-year coach Aaron Berry said his players never lost sight of their goals.
“It’s a true blessing to be the coach of this team,” Berry said. “I’m proud of this team for not giving up. They battled every week to get to this moment.”
The opening half was chock full of big plays from both offenses.
Covina needed less than a minute to get on the scoreboard, as Duronslet raced away for a 55-yard touchdown on the third play from scrimmage.
Chino (5-5, 2-1) quickly answered back, as Diego Ogata broke free for a 65-yard run. Two plays later, Nathan Blanco scored on a 1-yard run.
Covina regained the lead when Duronslet connected with Da-mion Yeargin for an 8-yard strike midway through the first quarter.
Chino used some trickery to tie the score once again. Maximus Barroso took a handoff and then lofted a pass downfield to Daniel Nakashima for a 79-yard touchdown pass.
Covina put together a 14-play drive to regain the lead. Duronslet scored on a 5-yard keeper with 7:08 remaining in the second quarter.
Once again, Chino had a response, as Ogata hooked up with Barroso for a 56-yard touchdown pass to help the Cowboys get within 22-20.
Chino failed on fourth down a second time late in the first half. This time, Covina capitalized, as Ronnie Ropke won a jump ball over the middle and turned it into a 72-yard touchdown to give the Colts a 29-20 halftime lead.
Rangel scored on runs of 2 yards and 1 yard in the second half to help seal the victory for the Colts.
