Walnut, Calif.—For the first time in a decade, the Mt. SAC Football Team has punched its ticket to the 3C2A State Championship, clinching a heart-stopping 37-35 win over defending champions Riverside City College on Saturday, December 7. In an exciting game between fierce cross-town rivals with a storied history, Mt. SAC came out on top. With this win, the Mounties maintain their unbelievable unbeaten 12-0 record, while the Tigers wrapped up their season at 10-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
De'shon Thompson put the Mounties on the board early, with a 33-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Noah Fuailetolo to give the team an early 7-0 lead. Riverside answered quickly with a 59-yard touchdown pass from Brady Jones to Marquis Monroe, tying the game at 7-7. Just moments later, Mt. SAC's Adrion Boyd electrified the crowd with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, though the extra point was missed, making it 13-7.
In the second quarter, Thompson struck again, catching a 47-yard touchdown pass from Fuailetolo to extend the lead to 20-7. But Riverside's Devyne Pearson countered with back-to-back rushing touchdowns (36 yards and 1 yard), putting the Tigers ahead 21-20. However, the Mounties regained the lead just before halftime when Juwan Grant pulled in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Fuailetolo, giving Mt. SAC a 27-21 advantage.
The third quarter saw Riverside's Brady Jones score a 7-yard touchdown, pushing the Tigers back into the lead at 28-27.
With the game on the line, Samuel Green Jr. powered into the end zone with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, and kicker Matthew Fidone nailed the extra point to reclaim the lead at 34-28 in the fourth quarter. But Pearson wasn't finished, adding another 12-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Tigers back on top at 35-34, with just over three minutes remaining. Under immense pressure, Fidone nailed an incredible 48-yard game-winning field goal with under two minutes left, putting Mt. SAC up 37-35.
The Riverside City Tigers had one final opportunity to turn the game in their favor, but the Mt. SAC defense rose to the occasion, proving to be the champions that they are. On a crucial fourth down, with tension in the air and the home crowd on their feet erupting in chants of, "Defense! Defense! Defense!" the Mounties made the stop of the game, denying the Tigers any chance of reaching the end zone.
With this pivotal play, Mt. SAC secured the 3C2A Southern California Football Association Regional Championship in a nail-biting 37-35 victory. This win also ended Riverside's streak of advancing to the State Championship for the fourth consecutive year, while it puts the Mounties one win away from a state title.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Total Offense:
Mt. SAC: 370 yards (286 passing, 84 rushing)
Riverside: 510 yards (331 passing, 179 rushing)
Rushing Attack:
Mt. SAC: Devin Miles led the way with 20 carries for 101 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Riverside: Devyne Pearson impressed with 17 carries for 113 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
Passing:
Mt. SAC: Noah Fuailetolo completed 19 of 31 passes for 286 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Riverside: Brady Jones went 27 of 44 for 331 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions.
Receiving:
Mt. SAC: De'shon Thompson was a standout, catching 6 passes for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 26.3 yards per catch.
Riverside: Marquis Monroe caught 6 passes for 110 yards and 1 touchdown, with a long reception of 59 yards.
Defense:
Mt. SAC: Recorded 2 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, and 6 pass breakups, with Jaylen Crutchfield contributing 9 tackles and a sack, while Juan Salas and Kalim Mikhail each added 10 tackles.
Riverside: Tallied 3 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 pass breakups, with Saipeti Maiava, Jr. contributing 11 total tackles.
Special Teams:
Mt. SAC: Adrion Boyd returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, while Matthew Fidone hit a 48-yard game-winning field goal.
Riverside: Luis Marin was flawless, converting all 5 extra points and averaging 27.6 yards on punts.
UP NEXT:
The No. 1 ranked Mt. SAC Mounties (12-0) will travel up north to compete against the No. 3 ranked San Mateo Bulldogs (11-1) for the 3C2A State Championship Title on Saturday, December 14.
STAY CONNECTED:
Follow Mt. SAC Football on twitter @mtsacfootball or Instagram /mtsacfootball/
Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics
For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
