SBVC (4-1; 1-1) went into halftime with a two point lead and built on that lead on their first drive of the second half, but the Palm Desert College of the Desert Roadrunners (2-3; 2-0) scored 27 unanswered points and SBVC fell, 53-34.
Sophomore quarterback Daniel Epperson (Phelan Serrano) went 16 for 34 for 254 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked five times for a loss of 17 yards. Freshman running back Deion Walker (Matthews (NC) Butler) had another fantastic evening, carrying the ball 19 times for 117 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry and two touchdowns on the ground. In the air, Walker grabbed two passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore wide receiver Mason Rutherford (Ashland (KY) Fairview) led the way for all receivers with four catches for 86 yards including a long of 38 yards, which was almost a touchdown. The Desert defender who tackled Rutherford, tackled him into the end zone, the referee put the ball at the Roadrunners one yard line.
Sophomore linebacker Temerick Harper (Rialto W.A. Carter) led the way for the SBVC defense, absolutely punishing the Roadrunners quarter back, he has 12 total tackles, assisted on four, including a sack and two tackles for loss totaling nine yards, as well as two broken up passes. Sophomore defensive back Jeffrey Harman (Redlands East Valley) and sophomore defensive back Leon Smith (Riverside John Wesley North) had an interception each on the evening.
The team is going into a much needed bye week to heal up and get ready to host undefeated Victor Valley on October 17th. The Roadrunners had an impressive 4th down efficiency of 43% (3 of 7) two of those conversions led directly to scores on the very next play, the third one kept a drive alive for Desert in the 3rd quarter, a drive they scored on seven plays later. Unfortunately, SBVC had three fumbles, each of which was lost. One of those fumbles was recovered by Desert in the end zone and another SBVC fumble led to a Roadrunners drive, which eight plays later they scored on along with five sacks given up. SBVC secondary had their hands full all night with a Roadrunners quarterback who passed for 514 yards and three different receivers racked up nearly 413 yards of that total.
This heavyweight matchup had each team scoring and then immediately responding with another score. Desert opened up the scoring first with a 49 yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead. On the ensuing drive, SBVC responded with a 7 play 72 yard drive and tied the game on a one yard run by Walker and after an extra point from freshman kicker Alex Raya (Beaumont H.S.) the game was tied at 7-7.
Desert then regained the lead on their next possession on a 13 yard touchdown pass and after a two-point rushing attempt was stuffed by the SBVC defense, the lead was 13-7 for the Roadrunners. Then SBVC had their shot and went 80 yards in 13 plays and concluded with Walker darting in from eight yards out to give SBVC a one-point lead, 14-13.
SBVC would take a crucial lead several drives later as they went 88 yards in 8 plays as Smith pounded into the end zone from one yard out, to give SBVC a 21-13 lead. Desert would score on their next drive to make the score 21-19, as SBVC clung to a two point lead going into halftime.
Information, Photos & Story provided by SBVC Sports Information.