The Mt. SAC Mounties opened their 2024 football season with an impressive 38-21 victory over the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles at HCN Bank Stadium in Menifee, CA on Saturday, September 7. The game, played under sweltering conditions with temperatures reaching 103 degrees, showcased Mt. SAC's skillset and dedication to get the win.
The game kicked off with Mt. San Jacinto's Jackson Weng catching a 3-yard pass from Logan Gonzalez, putting the home team ahead 7-0. However, Mt. SAC quickly responded with Pierce Brown catching a 7-yard pass from Jack Benson to level the score at 7-7. The first quarter ended with Mt. San Jacinto's Moises Amezquita making a 48-yard field goal, giving his team a slight edge at 10-7.
The second quarter is where Mt. SAC took control of the game. De'shon Thompson's 8-yard touchdown reception from Jack Benson, followed by a 23-yard run by Devin Miles, and a 55-yard pass from Noah Fuailetolo to Devon Anderson, saw Mt. SAC build a solid 28-10 lead by halftime.
The second half saw Mt. SAC's dominance continue. Although a 52-yard field goal by Amezquita cut the lead to 28-13, Mt. SAC's Dayjohn Wheeler responded with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Fuailetolo. In the fourth quarter, a 25-yard touchdown pass from the Eagles' Gonzalez to Donte Sams, with a successful two-point conversion, closed the gap to 35-21. However, Mt. SAC's kicker, Matthew Fidone, capped the scoring with a 40-yard field goal, sealing the game at 38-21.
Mt. SAC's offense was led by quarterbacks, Noah Fuailetolo, who threw for 130 yards and two touchdowns and Jack Benson, who added 92 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Devin Miles was a standout performer with 108 rushing yards and a touchdown. Mt. SAC's defense was equally impressive, with Juan Salas aggressively recording eight tackles.
Despite a notable performance from Mt. San Jacinto, including a solid passing game from Gonzalez, who threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns, the team struggled with their rushing game and were unable to overcome Mt. SAC's offensive and defensive pressure.
Assistant Coach Deen reflects on the match saying, "It was a good first game; the players played with great effort and camaraderie. Mt. San Jacinto College did a great job and had a good game plan. The game provided plenty of lessons for us to learn and grow from. We will build on this experience and apply it this weekend in a big game versus Ventura College."
With this win, the Mounties start their season with a 1-0 record. Fans are invited to join the Mounties for their first home game on Saturday, September 14, at 6:00 PM, as they face the Ventura College Pirates. This season will feature exciting new elements, including a marching band and the introduction of the new team mascot, Rizzly the Grizzly. Go Mounties!