Mt. SAC Football Falls to College of the Canyons, 28-16, in Western State Bowl

By John M. Sherrard

(Santa Clarita, CA) The Mounties (8-3) end the 2017 season with a, 28-16, loss to College of the Canyons, Saturday night (Nov. 18) in the Western State Bowl.  For the first time in 12 post season bowl games, the Mt. SAC Football Team come away empty handed.  In between the previous 11 bowl game victories, were four state titles and two national championships.

Mt. SAC's sophomore wide receiver Cameron Coleman was named offensive player of the game with his game-high, eight receptions and 112 yards.

Also standing out offensively for the Mounties was quarterback Richard Stammetti throwing for 206 yards (19 of 35) and two TDs.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Mounties trailed 7-0 after a Canyons TD with 8:37 left in the first half.

Mt. SAC, which defeated College of Canyons last season in the Golden State Bowl, tied the game at 7-7 four minutes later after an 8-play, 60-yard drive, culminating with a 10-yard TD pass from Stammetti to Darrian Hambrick (2 catches, 15 yds.).

Canyons extended the lead to 21-7 with two consecutive TDs in the second and third quarters.

Mt. SAC kicker Andrew Rodriguez, who is tied for the state lead with 15 field goals, kicked a 39-yarder midway through the third quarter to trail 21-10.

After another Canyons score, to make it 28-10, the Mounties concluded their scoring for the game and the season with a 9-yard TD pass from Stammetti to Brice Hoenisch for the 28-16 final.

For the season Coleman (685 yds., 47 receptions) and Hambrick (486 yds., 38 receptions) led the Mounties with seven and six receiving touchdowns respectively. Hykeem Massey and Jamario (Tre) Elliot led the ground game with 496 yards and 451 yards respectively.

Rodriguez led the team in scoring with 93 points (15 field goals, 48 extra points). He was 15 of 22 in FG (68%) and made 48 of 49 extra points.

Sophomore wide receiver Emetrious Scott led the team in all-purpose yards with 1,105 (494 receiving, 448 kick returns, 128 punt returns, 35 rushing).

Freshman quarterback Jaiave Magalei threw for 1,811 yards on 147 of 231 passes and six TDs, with the longest a 94-yarder by Coleman.

On the defensive side, the Mounties sacked the opposing quarterbacks 35 times.  Defensive tackle Atunaisa Vainikolo and defensive lineman Lonetona Toailoa Isara led the team with 4.5 sacks apiece.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.