Recap
![](https://img3.blastathletics.com/Cb1_ZpZ52u-lLyInaRrQd5ANIqs=/0x24:978x575/960x0/filters:quality(85)/https://blastathletics.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/picture/file/358162/SGT-L-GLENDORA-DAMIEN-0824-17-1-1.jpg)
La Verne, CA — Glendora spoiled the much-anticipated coaching debut of Matt Bechtel at Damien High School on Friday night.
Rallying from an early first-quarter deficit, the Tartans easily dispatched the host Spartans 24-7 in the season opener for both schools.
Bechtel, who won a CIF-SS championship last season at South Hills High School, a graduate of Damien, was brought in to inject excitement and energy into the program.
Tartans quarterback Jacob Gonzalez turned in an effective performance as he completed 10 of 15 passes for 148 yards. Gonzalez also clinched the victory for the Tartans as he scampered 28 yards for a touchdown with 4:02 left in the game.
Running back Xzavier Ford showed off his punishing running skills, carrying the ball 23 times for a game-high 85 yards. Cade Marshman was the leading receiver for Glendora, hauling in six passes for 61 yards. Damien’s Chase Carter was the leading rusher, carrying the ball 14 times for 46 yards.
Damien’s Jacob Barton was the starting quarterback for the Spartans and did an effective job in the first half, completing 7 of 13 passes for 92 yards with a touchdown. He was replaced in the third period by Dylan Gutierrez, with Bechtel deciding to give each quarterback an opportunity to run his no-huddle offense.
The Spartan offense got off to a fast start as it put together an impressive 17-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with Barton connecting with Justin Ponce on a 3-yard touchdown pass on fourth-down-and-goal for a 7-0 lead.
Glendora tied the game at 7-7 when Gonzalez, who is committed to playing baseball at the University of Mississippi, connected with Matt Gonzales for a 23-yard touchdown pass in the early stages of the second quarter.