The momentum swung LaSalle’s way at the end of the first half in Friday night’s football game against Bishop Diego. The Lancers scored 11 points in the last 40 seconds and went into halftime down 17-11.
Bishop Diego quickly turned the game back in its favor, as AV Bennett returned the second-half kick 99 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals shut down LaSalle for the rest of the half on their away to a 38-11 non-league victory in Pasadena.
Bennett’s kickoff returned was a backbreaker for LaSalle, which was coming off a big win against city rival Pasadena High. Bishop controlled the rest of the game, getting touchdown runs from Abel Gonzalez and freshman John Harris in the second half. Harris bolted 43 yards for the game’s final score.
Bishop Diego (3-0) jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first half. Kohl Vemo kicked a 24-yard field goal to start the scoring in the first quarter.
Matt Shotwell followed with a 54-yard burst to make it 10-0 with 2:32 left in the first quarter.
The lead expanded to 17-0 when Danny Molina capped a drive with an 11-yard scoring run with 3:53 left in the half.
LaSalle (2-1) started to get its offense going, and the Lancers finished a drive 1-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion with 40 seconds to go in the second quarter. They got the ball back and converted a 32-yard field goal to end the first half.
All the momentum the Lancers took into the locker room slipped away just seconds into the second half when Bennett sped by everyone on his kickoff return.
