(Covina, CA) In perhaps the wildest ending for the Mt. SAC Football Team in years, the Mounties were edged by visiting Saddleback, 27-24, Saturday (Oct. 5) at Covina District Field.
With Mt. SAC (3-2) trailing, 20-17, wide receiver Jonathan Schofield (4 catches, 97 yards) hauled in a long pass from quarterback Dylan Flenniken, juggled it a bit and sprinted 75 yards to the end zone to put the Mounties ahead, 24-20, with fifty-eight seconds left in the game. Preceding the TD by Schofield, wide receiver Sean Bowden (5 catches, 42 yds.) caught two passes for 15 and three yards.
"I saw the ball in the air," Schofield said. " "It just all happened.......it just happened. I got a little excited and my emotions got the best of me. It was electric and my teammates were there to greet me."
"It was one of the best feelings in my football career and I was glad to do it for my brothers. (Saddleback) was a very good ball club and we played as hard as we could."
Mt. SAC Coach Bob Jastrab had nothing but great things to say about Schofield and his abilities.
"He just gave us the opportunity to be up with fifty-eight seconds left in the game. He's a great player and I'm proud of the effort. Big-time guys make big-time plays."
With the game seemingly in hand, Saddleback (5-0) took just forty-one seconds on four plays as quarterback Chance Nolan (22 for 32, 317 yds., 23 carries for 95 yds.) found receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda in the corner of the end zone to take a 27-24 lead, with only 17 seconds remaining.
"I hope you enjoyed that one," Jastrab said. "That's football and everyone got their money's worth (Saturday)."
"At the end of the day, I'm proud of the overall effort of the football team, whatever the outcome is. That's what we stress."
Leading the way at quarterback was Flenniken with 139 yards on 9 of 18 passing. Flenniken started his second game in place of injured starter Zach Rangel. On the ground, running back Rachaad White rushed for a game-high 214 yards on 29 carries and a 54-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter to give the Mounties a 7-3 lead.
Trailing, 10-7 early in the second quarter, Flenniken ran in from three yards out to give Mt. SAC a 14-10 lead.
The teams traded field goals, with Andrew Rodriquez connecting for 43 yards for Mt. SAC late in the third quarter. The Mounties held a 17-13 lead before the fireworks started.
Saddleback, just 26 seconds later, struck for a long 90-yard TD pass from Nolan to Cole Harrity and the 20-17 lead.
Mt. SAC has a bye next week and will start National Division Central League action on Saturday, October 19 against Palomar, at Covina District Field.
Follow Mt. SAC Football on twitter @mtsacfootball
Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics
For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.