Gauchos clinch crucial win over Cerritos College
GOING FOR THE TOUCHDOWN (Sean Lara/Photo Editor)
The underdog football team at Saddleback College defeated host Cerritos College Saturday, 28-24.
Ninth-ranked Cerritos opened the scoring in the first quarter but the team quickly proved that they came to play. The Gauchos responded by putting themselves on the scoreboard within five minutes with a touch down pass from quarterback Sean Reilly to wide receiver Tavaurs Abram. Michael Frisina kicked the point after touchdown.
The Gauchos, who came into the game ranked 21st in the state, came into the second quarter with a 7-7 tie only to prove to Cerritos that they wanted the win. The Gauchos received their second touch down two minutes into the second with 6-yard run by John Akiba. Michael Frisina helped the Gaucho’s get to 14-7 with the extra kick.
Three flags and a turn over on downs later Saddleback received its third touchdown of the game with a pass from Reilly to Abram, with Frisina on the extra point.
Close to the end of the second both teams had moments for the blooper reel with three fumbles in two minutes ending in Saddleback with the recovery and an attempt for the field goal.
After half time Cerritos gained an interception resulting in a touchdown bringing the score to 14-21.
The Gaucho defense held the Falcons until the beginning of the fourth quarter. Cerritos came back with a touchdown tying the score.
The Falcons did not stop there, after a turnover on a fumble they finished a field goal bringing them to the lead.
The Gauchos did not waste any time gaining back the lead. Saddleback got a touchdown with an 1-yard run from Donell Dickerson, who had 18 carries for 122 yards.
Cerritos tried to gain some sort of momentum but the Gauchos finished the game with a sack from Devin Thurman and Thomas Graff.
Saddleback, who was No. 21 last week is now 14 in the state according to www.jcgridiron.rivals.com.
The Gauchos now have a record of 4-1
“We proved that we came to win,” sophomore line backer Scott Graves said.
Graves helped lead the defense with 10 tackles. Graves also had three tackles for lost yardage, 15-yard fumble return and two quarterback hurries.
“We were the underdogs in this situation and our team produced the win.” Graves added.
“Offense came to play,” sophomore safety Matt Reza said.
Reza also contributed his own ten tackles in the game on Saturday.
Abram caught five passes for 59 yards and contributed two touchdowns.
The Gauchos have a bye this week leaving more practice time for their homecoming game on Oct. 16 against Grossmont College at 6:00 p.m.