Koa Rapolla shares thoughts on win over Yucaipa
The Indians are 5-0 for the first time since 2015.
Indio High School struggled over the first four weeks of the football season in the valley, which made Friday’s win even sweeter.
The Rajahs fell behind at home against San Gorgonio before rallying to a 27-16 win at Ed White Stadium.
First-year assistant coach Jake Shipley took over defensive play-calling duties and Indio responded with its best defensive effort of the season. The Rajahs (1-4) had allowed at least 43 points in all four of their losses.
Thompson said that Shipley made “a lot of courageous calls” that put Indio in a position to win.
At one point in the second half, Indio stopped the Spartans 14-play drive near the goal line to force a turnover on downs. Thompson described the moment as one filled with emotion after what the team has endured this season.
“I’m just so proud of our guys,” Indio head coach Lamont Thompson said. “They just refused to lose today.”
Though Thompson said that the win was “a great team effort,” with several players making big plays, junior Damian Durinzi had a signature performance. He returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, he ran for a 30-yard touchdown, scored on a 12-yard receiving touchdown and also rushed for 115 yards, and finished the night with 12 tackles.
Thompson said that linebackers Luis Garcia Jr. and Roman Rodriguez were among several Indio players who had their best game of the season.
Indio will now look to start a win streak Friday at West Valley in Hemet.
“It’s been a tough season,” Thompson said. “So this one felt good. I’m just so proud of our guys and the effort they put into this win.”
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