By John M. Sherrard
(Covina, CA) The Mt. SAC Football team scored three touchdowns in the first quarter and never looked back as they defeated visiting L.A. Harbor, 45-21, in a National Division Central Conference game, Saturday night at Covina District Field.
Mt. SAC quarterback Jaiave Magalei had his best game to date with five passing touchdowns, throwing for 284 yards (14 of 18). With the win, the Mounties improved to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in conference with one game remaining.
Mt. SAC, ranked No. 8 in the state by the CCCSIA, will host No. 2-ranked Riverside City College (9-0, 4-0) this Saturday at 7 pm. The Tigers sit atop the Central Conference standings with a 4-0 record. A victory over RCC would create a three-way tie, if Long Beach City College (6-3, 3-1) defeats El Camino.
Post season implications will be affected by the outcome of this game, with a possible So Cal playoff or a bowl bid at stake for the Mounties.
Additional offensive leaders for the Mounties were wide receiver Cameron Coleman, (two catches for 101 yards, TD), tight end Austin Griffin (44 yards, TD) and wide receiver Darrian Hambrick (43 yards, TD).
Magalei threw to nine receivers in the game and nine running backs saw action for the Mounties, led by Andre Washington with 30 yards.
The three TDs in the first quarter went to Hambrick (7 yds.), Brice Hoenisch (15 yds.) and Coleman (94 yds.) for the 21-0 first-quarter lead.
Early in the second quarter Emetrious Scott caught an 8-yard TD pass for the 28-0 lead.
After a L.A. Harbor touchdown, Mt. SAC running back Malcolm Ballard scored on a 3-yard run, to up the lead to 35-7, midway through the second quarter.
Magalei threw his fifth TD pass, early in the third quarter, to Griffin (44 yds.) for the 42-7 lead and kicker Andrew Rodriguez added a 27-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
Rodriguez is second in the state with 13 field goals for the season.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.