By John M. Sherrard
(TORRANCE) The Mt. SAC Football team won its third game in a row and fourth in the last five, defeating host El Camino College, 23-7, Saturday night.
More importantly, the Mounties are 2-0 in the SCFA National Central Division, in first place, tied with Riverside City College.
Mt. SAC improves to 5-2 overall and is currently ranked fifth in the CCCFCA poll in Southern California National Division and 10th in the state.
Two big plays highlighted the Mountie touchdowns, which came on a blocked punt recovery by freshman defensive back Jeremy Caldwell in the end zone and a 29-yard touchdown reception by sophomore wide receiver Elijah Trejo.
Defense was also the games' highlight with two interceptions (sophomore DB Koa Haynes and sophomore linebacker Kyle Woolard-Hilton) and eight sacks for -66 yards. Woolard-Hilton had 2.5 sacks for a -20 yards. Woolard-Hilton now has recorded 11.5 on the season, which is tops in the state. Mt. SAC freshman linebacker Neal Nelson led the defense with six solo tackles.
After a scoreless first quarter the Mounties took a 7-0 lead in the second after a blocked punt by freshman DB La'Tre Jacquess, recovered by Caldwell.
Later in the quarter Mt. SAC sophomore quarterback Anfernee Bruton (8 of 18, 111 yards, 2 int.) threw a 29-yard TD pass to Trejo for the 14-0 lead.
With 42 seconds left in the half the So Cal No. 11 Warriors (3-4) cut the Mountie lead in half with a rushing touchdown, to trail, 14-7.
After a Mt. SAC safety late in the third quarter to lead, 16-7, the Mounties added another score, Sateki Finau's 2-yard run for the final of 23-7.
Mt. SAC will host Chaffey College next Saturday at Covina District Field at 6:00 p.m.