Diamond Bar coach Ryan Maine on meeting with Walnut: “I told our seniors this is our last chance to make a mark on the Branding Iron.”

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By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
Diamond Bar coach Ryan Maine is well aware Los Altos’ win over Diamond Ranch gave his team a bit more postseason hope than it had at this time a week ago, but Maine also is aware the new life is something his team can’t squander. The Brahmas are 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the Hacienda League, with losses to West Covina and Diamond Ranch. With games still to come against Walnut and Los Altos, the Brahmas can put themselves squarely in the playoff race and possibly even in second place if everything falls just right.


“We’re in must-win situations now,” Maine said. “You’ve got West Covina at 3-0 (in league), then Diamond Ranch, Los Altos and Walnut (all 2-1) tied for second. The Los Altos win (over Diamond Ranch) shook everything up.

“Now we’re in must-win situations because these games could be the difference between the fifth-place team and not making the playoffs or being the fourth-place team and getting in.

“On any given Friday, the standings could change dramatically. We now have an opening to maybe grab that No. 3 or even No. 2 spot (in league).”

Diamond Bar’s would-be revival must start this week at rival Walnut in The Branding Iron game. The Brahmas and Mustangs became rivals in 1982 when half the students at Walnut High were sent to the then-newly opened Diamond Bar High. The Brahmas haven’t beaten the Mustangs since 2008, and doing so Friday would mean big things.

“This is more of your historical and traditional rivalry,” Maine said of the Walnut game. “Diamond Ranch is more of an emotional, new rivalry. They engrave the scores on the Branding Iron, and it goes in the front office of the school that wins it.

“I told our seniors this is our last chance to make a mark on the Branding Iron.”

The Brahmas spent last week’s bye getting linebacker Troy Lanning (concussion) cleared to play and running back Jamaal Clayton (ankle) healthier. Diamond Bar also got clearance from the CIF- Southern Section office for rapper Snoop Dogg’s son Cordell Broadus to play on the varsity team. The school didn’t submit eligibility paperwork to CIF for Cordell’s older brother Corde to become eligible after both transferred from Long Beach Poly earlier this month.

Cordell, only a freshman, may be on the varsity roster this Friday as a wide receiver. Corde, also a receiver, played special teams while at Long Beach Poly. No reason was given as to why the school hasn’t submitted paperwork to CIF for Corde Broadus.

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  • Panther leader

    I fail to see how our loosing to LA helps Dbar. After we mop the field with Rowland and Walnut and kick the frozen dog piss out of the puppy dogs, we will be the league #1 with WC #2 and the rest will be nothing more then 1st round shark chum.

  • PoorSports DRanch

    Panther leader, nothing about this post had anything to do with Diamond Ranch! and you should be humble because before playing LA, your folks talked MUCH trash about them also…like most people are already figuring out…Dranch days are numbered ! and i will bet on LosAltos to win a championship before Dranch!

  • Oh you

    Even though I strongly lots of DR fans, I know that Panther leader is just a troll. Carry on folks

  • SGV for 30 Years

    Panther Leader,

    Are you really serious? Have you learned nothing about karma? In my pre-season rankings of the Hacienda, I had DR finishing second to WC. The way I see it now, DR will struggle to make the play-offs. Losing Fischer is a HUGE blow. Word on the street is that all isn’t peaches and cream at the Ranch. I will give you a piece of advice. When it comes to playing in the Hacienda League, you can’t just show up and beat teams. There are some good coaches who know how to gameplan and adjust. I will tell you this Snyder, OShields, and Maggorie will have their teams ready. Here is the book on DR. Put them in passing situations on offense. Make the QB beat you. Slow down their Defense with screens and draws. Wow, talk about predictable.

    SGV430 Ouuttt!!

  • Walnut Insider

    never thought I would say this, but I see Walnut holding onto the Branding Iron for a 3rd year. Coach Maine understands the importance of winning not just for the Branding Iron, but also to keep DB’s playoff hopes alive. But I just don’t think DB is there yet. It will be interesting to see how he handles coaching in such a big game. I am sure he won’t stay too conservative.

    I’m going to stand by my prediction of Walnut beating DB & DR and making the playoffs again. After the talent that left last year…I didn’t see it happening, but it will.

  • patrick

    I dont see what makes Walnut such a BIG bet….only team you have beaten is Rowland!! I see DB playing with much more emotion and passion against Walnut!…Certainly after this yr, Walnut is history…especially now that Tyler Brown is now a Brahma….100/200 m League champ!

  • On

    Walnut also beat Los Altos who beat Diamond Ranch

  • patrick

    Just keep in mind that against Dranch, DB had 3 starters out…..Brandon Sanchez,Troy Lanning, and Jaamal Clayton…and DRanch was not at full strength either….DB will have more options now that they are full strenght…But will see what happens on the field!

  • DBALUM

    Freshmen win 52-6!

  • SGV for 30 Years

    Patrick buddy are you seriously talking about who has Walnut beaten? Who has DBar beaten? If I remember correctly, the Tribune had Dbar in their top 10 to start the season. They have since dropped almost out of sight. I don’t think Dbar will come out with “more” intensity. Both teams will be wound up at kick-off time. After that it will come down to which staff will be able to make adjustments. Here is how I see it going. Walnut will try to confuse Omana by mixing up their blitzes. The book on him is that he doesn’t like to get hit. Brown will have an impact on the game. But it will be Devin Brown. Walnut will use it’s ground game to control the clock and keep Omana on the sideline. I think it will be a great game for the fans to watch. In the end, Walnut keeps the Branding Iron one more year 28-17.

    SGV430 Ouuutt!!!

  • patrick

    The key is now that they are at full strenght, DB might not have to throw the ball as much, If the game is as you put it,,then i like your prediction, but i dont think Dbar will leave anything on the field. And as stated in Dranch game, the game was never sealed until late interception by Omana.I think Walnut will greatly underestimate them as being worse than the scores indicate.