Samo drops second home game to Pomona 51-0

Samo lost 51-0 on Friday October 2nd to Pomona High School, making it the second time they have been shut out this season. Their record stands at 0-5 and are currently ranked 601 in California.From kickoff to the final second, the game had a strange aura around it. With starting quarterback Dariush Sayson (’18) out with a concussion, wide receiver Ryan Suggs (’17) stepped into Sayson’s position. Coming off of a four game suspension, this was Suggs’ first game of the year and he was forced to play a position he was uncomfortable with, as he is usually a wide receiver.Samo’s defense started the game very strong by forcing a turnover on downs in the red zone. The offense wasn’t able to get it going though, they were sputtering along early. The defense was able come up huge again with recovering a fumble on a later drive.The great defensive play by Samo didn’t last long as the Vikings gave up two quick scores to end the quarter down 13-0. On a night where a lot wasn’t working for Samo, the special teams did have shining moments. They were able to block two extra points and force a missed field goal. On one play Pomona’s punt returner muffed the punt and long snapper Jake Mimoun (’16) lunged for the ball and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown, however, the play was ultimately called off.Much like the previous home game against Redondo, Samo’s passing defense struggled and Pomona was able to exploit it. Several key tackles were missed and Pomona was racking up tons of yards. Pomona was able to extend their lead to 25-0 at halftime.Things didn’t get better for Samo after the break. Injuries became a huge factor for the team. Kicker Jordan Golden (’16) went down on a fake punt and impromptu quarterback Ryan Suggs went down with an injury too.“We aren’t taking care of our bodies well enough.” head coach Ramsey Lambert said. “We have to make sure we do a better job of that”.Uly Perez (’16), who was also originally a wide receiver, stepped up for the injured Suggs but wasn’t able to carry the team, as Pomona ended the quarter 44-0. Suggs will be out an extended time with his injury.Inside linebacker Charlie Whitesell (’16) was not content with the team’s loss.  “You got to play as a team, I mean you have to have everyone showing up for practice, [and] you have to have good solid practices,” Whitesell said. “Fundamentals [are] what’s not getting done right now. [We are] breaking down for a tackle. Bill Belichick said it the best: ‘Just do your job’. That all you have to do; that’s how football games are won.”Next week is the beginning of league play and Coach Lambert has things he wants to improve on.“We are lacking a few fundamentals,” Lambert said. “We have to get better at tackling. Our plans are always good, we just have to get better at executing. Us coaches will get to work on that”.Hopefully the team can rally around this game and make a strong run in league play against Hawthorne, who is also winless, on Oct.9.