(COVINA) By John M. Sherrard – Scoring early and often was the phrase of the night for the Mt. San Antonio College football team at Covina District Field Saturday night.
The Mounties, who are coming off a very difficult week following an incident at Ventura College, responded well and unfortunately Santa Monica College was in the way of their frustration.
Mt. SAC scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, en route to a 55-12 thrashing of the Corsairs in a nonconference game.
Mt. SAC freshman offensive lineman Bernard Schirmer (Lakewood HS) was given a suspension after an unfortunate accidental contact with a referee in the Ventura game.
"If I ever had a player that hit a ref on purpose he wouldn't be in this program," longtime Mt. SAC coach Bob Jastrab said. "That's why the coaching staff, the administration and everybody is fighting for him because he did hit his helmet and accidently hit the referee."
The Southern California Football Association has given Schirmer a 60-month suspension from community college football. Mt. SAC is currently appealing the commissioners ruling.
"It's good to get back on track," said Mt. SAC coach Bob Jastrab of the Santa Monica game. "We were a little lethargic all week (in practice) and didn't know how they (Mt. SAC players) were going to respond.
"It was stressful dealing with all the social media and everything else. I'm happy the way they played and came out and very business-like and got it done."
"Business-like" was an understatement, as the Mounties scored with less than four minutes elapsed in the first quarter when sophomore running back Sateki Finau (Rancho Cucamonga HS) scored on a 10-yard touchdown run.
On their next possession sophomore quarterback Anfernee Bruton (Lithonia HS, Atlanta, GA) threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Alvin Pole'o (East HS, Anchorage, AK) for the 14-0 lead.
Bruton, who has thrown for seven TDs this season, was 12 of 19 for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
The Mounties weren't finished with their fast start as they scored on their next two possessions.
Finau (9 carries, 47 yards, 2 TDs) ran in a two-yard TD and sophomore defensive back Koa Haynes (Bishop Amat HS) ran back a 55-yard interception for the score to give the Mounties a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter.
"I played with his dad (at Mt. SAC) and that's what his dad did," said Jastrab of Haynes' interception. "It's nice to see he's having success and following in his dad's footsteps.
Haynes described his interception as a great moment at Mt. SAC.
"I'm very proud to play here and my dad played here," Haynes said. "It's a great feeling and I wish all my fellow defensive backs could get that chance."
That's exactly what happened early in the third quarter as linebacker Kevin Wilson (Kathleen HS, Lakeland, FL) scored another pick-six for the Mounties.
Wilson, a sophomore, returned an interception 15-yards for the 45-6 lead.
"I was just talking him before that play about him getting an interception," Haynes said. "I told him it was his turn."
As for Schirmer Haynes said, "We are really behind our fellow teammate Bernard. It's an unfortunate accident that happened and we're praying for him to get back on the field."
Leading the ground game for the Mounties was freshman running back Elijah Gillory (Upland HS) with 51 yards on four carries and a 3-yard TD. Freshman running back Andre Walker (Pomona HS) had 41 yards on nine carries and freshman RB Isaiah Thompson (Diamond Bar HS) had 33 yards on three carries.
On the receiving end freshman Tommie Dorsey (Colony HS) had five receptions for 57 yards and Pole'o had three catches for 47 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Mounties had six sacks with sophomore linebacker Kyle Woolard-Hilton (Desert Edge HS, Goodyear, AZ) leading the way with three for a minus 17 yards.
Mt. SAC will play Fullerton College at CDF next Saturday trying to avenge a double-overtime loss from last season.