Weekend Sports Wrap Up

MT SAC WINS ANOTHER NAILBITER AGAINST SADDLEBACK, 38-34

WALNUT – After two subpar performances against Palomar and Grossmont colleges to open league play, Mt. SAC faced its toughest challenge of the year against Saddleback College Saturday afternoon at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.

The Gauchos enter the contest ranked #1 in the state and was the last team to defeat Mt. SAC prior to its September 24th 29-26 loss to Riverside College, so a lot was at stake (playoff positioning, revenge, pride, ranking).

Mt. SAC, (who was ranked #3 in the state) had to come from as much as 17 points behind in the second half to pull off the victory to hand Saddleback its first defeat of the year.

Mt. SAC struggled in the first half as Cameron Deen was picked off on Mt. SAC’s first two possessions of the game, as well as being sacked five times and harassed all afternoon long.

“It’s just part of the game,” Deen said of getting hit and harassed. “You just have to bounce back and just keep playing.”

Deen continued to play and finished 16 of 36 for 149 yards, two touchdowns and the three interceptions.

Deen’s favorite receiver was Alonzo Agwuenu, who hauled in eight passes for 81 yards and the two touchdowns.  Darrin Duncan added 23 yards on three catches, but it was his 57 yard run off an end around play which proved to be go-ahead score to seal the victory with 21 seconds remaining the game.

“Deen’s the man,” said Agwuenu. “Ever since he was named the starter, we have been on a (winning) streak.”

Saddleback drew first blood. After picking off Deen on Mt. SAC’s initial possession, the Gauchos only needed three plays culminating on a Rodney Woodland 15-yard run to lead 6-0.

Mt. SAC promptly answered as it took Deen and company just six plays to march down the field to take the lead 7-6 when Deen found Agwuenu wide open in the end zone on a 16-yard scoring pass.  The two would hook up again on a flea flicker, this time on an 11 yard pass to tie the score at 17-17.  Saddleback would score twice in the fourth quarter before Mt. SAC made its comeback.

Leading 31-17, and driving from deep within its territory, Ashtun Williams would pick up a Saddleback fumble and return it 16 yards to close the gap to 31-24.

Mt SAC would then get a short field on its next possession, culminating on a 29-yard run by Christian Bobo to tie the game at 31-31, setting up Duncan’s heroics.

“I like how different guys stepped up today,” Jastrab said. “As before it was the mistakes and penalties which hurt us, but I like how the kids came back and work hard.”

Mt. SAC (7-1, 3-0) hits the road for its final two games of the season against Fullerton College and then Pasadena City College.  Kickoff for both games is set for 6 p.m.

DIAMOND BAR WINS ITS SECOND STRAIGHT LEAGUE GAME

DIAMOND BAR - After reclaiming the Branding Iron from Walnut in its 26-22 win over the Mustangs last week, the Diamond Bar Brahmas football team carried that momentum Friday night as it easily dispatched of the Rowland Raiders 35-19 in a key Hacienda League matchup.

Utilizing mainly the running game, the Brahmas took a 21-7 lead into halftime. Rowland would score twice in the fourth, but the outcome has already been determined.

Austin Szulczewski led the Brahmas rushing attack, running for 125 yards and 16 carries and a touchdown.  Jamaal Clayton, who was coming back from injury, added 113 yards an 17 carries and two touchdowns.

Henry Omana went 8 of 14 for 97 yards and a touchdown.

With two playoff spots up for grabs, the Brahmas (4-4, 2-2) travel to Bonita (4-4, 2-2) next Friday. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.