Jags get third win; Mesa, Palomar fall

SAN BERNARDINO —- Three weeks ago, no one thought either the Southwestern Jaguars or the San Bernardino Valley Wolverines owned even a remote chance at a first-division finish in the Southern Division of the CCCAA National Conference.

However, scuffling Southwestern found a way to put its pieces together after upending host San Bernardino Valley, 29-27, Saturday (Nov. 6) at SBVC Stadium.

In a wild, see-saw affair that featured six lead changes, Southwestern finally pulled ahead for keeps when JaQuan Dorsey collected his second touchdown pass from Kahanu Davis — a 34-yarder — with 8:42 remaining.

The play allowed the Jaguars to snap a forgettable, 3-game losing skid when the offense badly struggled to manage a mere seven points over 12 quarters of play.

Statistically, Saturday’s (Nov. 6) offensive production was again slight.

Nevertheless, Davis made the most of the team’s 211 yards in total offense by connecting for three TD passes, each either a game-tying or go-ahead score.

Dorsey opened the scoring on an 8-yard pass, but the conversion was missed which could’ve hampered Southwestern’s chance to win.

The Wolverines answered to take a 7-6 lead, but Jags back Alijah Robinson countered with a 15-yard TD rush in the second quarter. Veteran head coach Ed Carberry smartly elected to kick the PAT rather than chase points so early in the ballgame.

SBVC moved in front with a couple of touchdowns, when quarterback Mekhi Lewis hooked up with Eric Wells for an 18-yard score. Again, SBVC took the lead but missed its conversion.

Davis moved the Jags even at 20-all on a TD pass to Christian Jourdain of 35 yards, capping the only lengthy drive by the Jags at 82 yards in 12 plays.

Following a turnover on an Adriel Ramos fumble recovery, Southwestern took the lead just 1:12 later on a 41-yard field goal by Mason Schneider for a 23-20 advantage through three periods.

The Wolverines answered to take another lead at 27-23 lead.

However, the Davis-to-Dorsey combo delivered the game-winner.

San Bernardino Valley had three more possession down the stretch, but Southwestern special teams were key.

Each time the Jaguars pinned the hosts back thanks to Schneider, handling both the kicking and punting duties for the first time this season, with drives starting at their own 7, 5, and 11-yard line. None of the ensuing drives ever came close to midfield.

Golden West 48, San Diego Mesa 10

KEARNY MESA —- San Diego Mesa College knew it needed to do something different in order to upend unbeaten Golden West College to secure a CCCAA playoff berth?

Utilizing a two-back set rather than their usual double-slot formation, the Rustlers were never fooled by the Olympians’ change, pulling away late to take a 48-10 triumph at Merrill Douglas Stadium on Saturday (Nov. 6).

The verdict allowed Golden West (8-0 overall) to maintain its share of the National-Southern Division lead with Fullerton, while Mesa (5-3) falls to third. The Olys will host Fullerton in two weeks in a make-up affair to cap the regular season.

While the Mesa defense shined, other mistakes allowed Golden West to take a wire-to-wire win.

After Mesa went three-and-out to start the game, a poor snap on a punt gave the guests the ball at the Mesa-11. However, a third-down pass was deflected and nearly intercepted by Chris Alba. as the Rustlers settled for a 31-yard field goal just 1:56 into the contest.

In the second quarter, Golden West advanced to the Mesa 2 but again failed to reach the end zone on three critical stops. Another field goal made it 6-0 but could’ve been a three-touchdown deficit.

The Olympians’ defense continued to make stops through almost three quarters, keeping the ballclub close at 13-3. But when Mesa needed to take chances in order to play catch up, the Rustlers took advantage and scored five touchdowns over the final 16 minutes to make the score more lob-sided than indicated by the action on the field.

Golden West went onto post four scores over a 5-minute span for a 47-3 cushion. Mesa finally reached the end zone on a cosmetic score, as  Timieion Jackson hauled in a  42-yard pass from reserve quarterback Quincy Welch. Jackson led Mesa with six receptions for 79 yards.

Rustlers quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for 310 yards and two TD’s on 22-for-36 passing. Meanwhile, Mesa used a combination of passers yet only mustered 162 aerial yards.

The Mesa defense was paced by Charles Scott, who registered seven tackles. Joining Scott was Ezra Christensen with five stops, including one for a loss, while Andrew Travillion registered an interception.

Mesa, which had won four straight contests, has lost a pair of games, each following a bye. Last week’s bye was a postponed game due to health protocols, but head coach Gary Watkins noted prior to the game that all players were available for Golden West,

Next week, the Olympians travel to the South Bay to meet divisional rival Southwestern.

Series history: Golden West set an unofficial state record in a previous trip to San Diego in the early 1980s.

Golden West needed to snap the ball six times to record just two official plays, both sacks by the Mesa defense. The others were various penalties against the Rustlers, which left their coaching staff in a frenzy.

Finally, the GWC head coach received a 15-yard misconduct flag, leaving more than 1,000 Rustlers fans booing and their team facing a remarkable 3rd-and-73 situation.

Yes, a surreal 73 yards to go.

However, a short crossing-pattern pass was completed, with the receiver heading toward the sideline, then turning the ball upfield. Mesa finally made the tackle following a 72-yard gain, still leaving the team just a yard short of the first down.

Rustlers fans were not happy when the stadium announcer said, “Sill short of the first down.”

Tied at 7-all, the Rustlers elected to go for the go-ahead field goal. However, the kick sailed wide and Mesa went on to post a 41-7 triumph.