By John M. Sherrard
(Wilmington, CA) After an easy 35-0 victory over L.A. Harbor College on Saturday night, the Mounties will now turn their attention to the biggest and last regular season game on the schedule.
Riverside City College (RCC), the No. 1 ranked team in the state and in the Southern California National Division Polls, will host the fifth-ranked Mounties on Saturday night, at 6:00 p.m.
The undefeated Tigers (8-1, 3-1) were upset last Saturday by Long Beach City College in overtime, 38-31. With that loss, the Mounties (7-2, 4-0) take a one game lead in the Central Conference. A victory over top-ranked RCC would clinch the Central crown and guarantee a CCCAA state playoff berth.
Last season, RCC, Long Beach City College and Mt. SAC finished in a three way conference tie for first place last season, with Mt. SAC getting bumped out of the state playoffs.
For the third game in a row the Mt. SAC defense stood out, running the opposition's scoreless streak to ten quarters. The streak dates back to the third quarter of the El Camino College game.
The defense again had multiple sacks by sophomore defensive back Koa Haynes (1 for -8 yards), freshman linebacker Anthony Rosales (1 for -9 yds) and sophomore defensive tackle Jacob Tuivaiave (1 for -5 yds). The defense also included 14 tackles for a minus 49 yards.
The Mounties took a quick 14-0 lead on two TDs just over a minute apart in the first quarter.
Freshman wide receiver London Harrell caught an 11-yard pass from freshman quarterback Richard Stammetti (17 for 25, 179 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INT.) for a TD and sophomore running back Edgar Segura (21 yards on 4 carries) added a 3-yard score.
Sophomore wide receiver Kennedy Sykes (2 receptions) gave Mt. SAC a 21-0 lead late in the second half with a 6-yard touchdown reception from Stammetti.
Early in the second quarter Mt. SAC sophomore linebacker Kevin Wilson scooped up a Harbor fumble, then lateraled to freshman linebacker Joshua Sanchez, who then returned it 15 yards for the 28-0 lead.
On the play, L.A. Harbor 400 lb. freshman outside linebacker Puletua Mataafa was injured and was taken off the field with a stretcher with a possible neck injury. The game was delayed 40 minutes for the player to be immobilized and transported off the field.
Stammetti finished the scoring with his third TD pass, a 30-yarder to freshman receiver Desmond Bobo.
Sophomore wide receiver Elijah Trejo had 66 yards on ten receptions for the Mountie.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.