Mt. SAC quarterback Matt Faulkner went 12-for-20 passing with a touchdown in the Mounties' 42-26 win- Photo by James Choy
The Mt. SAC Mounties football team won its fourth consecutive conference game against the host El Camino College Warriors 42-26 Saturday night at Murdock Stadium. With the loss, El Camino had its seven-game winning streak snapped.
“They have a lot of firepower,” Mt. SAC head coach Robert Jastrab said. “For some reason tonight was an off game for them, but we can’t underestimate them.”
The old adage “defense and special teams win football games” was put into practice early and often as the Mounties scored two quick touchdowns after fumble recoveries.
After El Camino forced Mt. SAC into a three-and-out, Andre Buford could not handle the ensuing punt cleanly, fumbling the ball at the Warriors 9-yard line. Bryce McBride would score two plays later. El Camino would once again fumble the ball deep in its territory, and Mt SAC again capitalized when Lancer Iosefa scored from six yards out to make the score 14-0 with 10:16 remaining in the first quarter.
“You cannot spot a good football team 14 points in the first quarter,” El Camino head coach John Featherstone said. “Our special teams were horrendous tonight. We are usually really good all year, but not tonight. We will have to re-emphasize on it this week.”
The score remained 14-0 until the Warrior’s quarterback Matt Simms connected with receiver Jamize Olawale for an 80-yard scoring pass to make the score 14-7. Iosefa would respond after with an 8-yard touchdown run to increase Mt. SAC’s lead to 21-7 with :26 remaining in the first half.
“Every time we were able to score, they would answer,” Featherstone said. “That or we would shoot ourselves in the foot. This is the worse performance of the year for us.”
The trend of trading scores would continue.
After warrior kicker Stephen Locke connected on a 40-yard field goal, Mt. SAC promptly marched down the field, culminating a 16-yard Matt Faulkner pass to Ahmere Owens for a touchdown to make the score 28-10. Matt Simms then hit Kenbrell Thompkins on a 27-yard scoring pass on the next drive.
The Mounties’ Kerel James would end the third quarter with a bang as he returned a fumble return 34 yards for a touchdown.
“It’s a team effort,”James said. “I am just part of the team. The defense played hard and the offense stepped up tonight, something we didn’t do all year.”
James did his part, as in addition to that fumble recovery, he also intercepted two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
“Everyone stepped up including Kerel (James) who scored two touchdowns on defense,” Jastrab said. “I am proud of the kids. The defense stepped up when they had to.”
Mt. SAC (7-1, 4-0 National Division, Central conference) will host Cerritos this Sat. Nov. 7. Cerritos handed the Mounties their only regular-season defeat last year. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.
Henry Montemayor
Staff Writer
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