By John M. Sherrard
(Walnut, CA) A huge final regular season, 24-17, upset by the Mt. SAC Football Team over No. 2 Riverside City College, gave the Mounties a share of the National Division Central Conference Championship. The win gave Mt. SAC a berth into the Western State Conference Bowl, but unfortunately, due to the final power ranking index, kept them just out of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship Play-Offs.
The Mounties will travel to take on College of the Canyons (8-2, Northern Conference Runner-Up) this Saturday November 18th, at 6:00 pm.
Trailing by a touchdown in the first quarter, the No. 7 Mounties reeled off 24 consecutive points and held off RCC, ranked No. 2 in the state by on the final regular-season game in the National Division Central Conference Saturday night at Covina District Field.
With the Mounties (#5 SoCal ranking) holding a 10-7 lead, quarterback Jaiave Magalei (12 of 16, 152 yds., 2 TDs, 7 rushes for 56 yds.) tossed two second quarter touchdown passes (7 and 83 yards) to wide receiver Cameron Coleman (4 catches, 44 yards) to extend the lead to 24-7.
RCC scored a touchdown and a late field goal (30 yards) with 1:26 left in the game, to come within a touchdown of the Mounties.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers successfully recovered an onside kick at their own 47-yard line, but four incomplete passes turned the ball over to the Mounties, who ran out the last 58 seconds for the huge win.
Gaston Bouchereau led the Mt. SAC receivers with 63 yards on two catches, while Hykeem Massey rushed for a game-high 85 yards on 14 carries.
Jamario (Tre) Elliot and Andre Walker (touchdown) rushed for 62 and 49 yards respectively for the Mounties.
The Mounties accounted for 438 yards (277 rushing, 161 passing) of total offense, while the defense had five sacks for a negative 33 yards.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
