Chapman Hangs On for a Victory

Despite giving up 16 points in the fourth quarter, Chapman hung on to beat La Verne, 27-26, when the Panther defense stopped the Leopards on four incomplete passes with just over a minute left Saturday at Chapman.

It was a fitting end for two teams that have had nothing but close finishes in their seven meetings since Chapman restored football in 1994. Neither has won by more than four points. Chapman’s only other victory was in 1997.

Chapman, which ended a three-game losing streak, took a 27-10 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter when Bobby Calderon caught his second 54-yard touchdown pass from Panther quarterback Todd McLean. Then La Verne rallied.

With 11 minutes 29 seconds left, La Verne quarterback Aaron Becker threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to David Black. After Flynn Turner kicked a 23-yard field goal, Becker threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Long with five minutes left in the game. Turner missed the extra point and La Verne missed the chance to tie the score.

Trailing 3-0, McLean threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Calderon with a minute left in the first quarter. It was the first time in three games that Chapman held a lead, and was its second touchdown in the first quarter this season.

After La Verne (2-5) scored on Josh Long’s four-yard run three minutes into the second quarter, Chapman (2-5) took the lead for good when Phil Cruz went down the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown run, diving as he reached the end zone.

With 6:40 left in the third quarter, McLean rolled out to his left and scored on a three-yard run. The extra point was blocked, and Chapman led, 20-10.