SBVC (9-2) was rewarded for their hard work with an appearance in the Golden State Bowl, but the team could not find their rhythm early enough and fell at the Los Angeles Valley Monarchs (9-2), 42-27.

LA Valley took their first drive 70 yards in 7 plays to take an early, 7-0 lead and then SBVC took their opening drive and missed a 38 yard field goal attempt, although, SBVC would have a huge play on the following drive. With a 3rd and 6, sophomore linebacker Temerick Harper (Rialto W.A. Carter) pummeled the Monarchs passer for an 11 yard sack. Then SBVC started their drive going 62 yards in 11 plays, only to be denied at the one yard line from tying the game as a dive from sophomore quarterback Daniel Epperson (Phelan Serrano) was turned away.

Once again the SBVC defense would collect a big play as sophomore linebacker Terrance Gaines (San Bernardino Pacific) picked off the first play from scrimmage and one play later, freshman running back Deion Walker (Matthews (NC) Butler) darted in from two yards out. After an extra point from freshman kicker Alex Raya (Beaumont H.S.) SBVC tied the game at 7-7.

Midway through the second quarter both teams exchanged touchdowns as the Monarchs completed a 38 yard visit to the end zone with 8:05 left in the half and on the ensuing drive, Walker scampered 65 yards to pay dirt as he cruised in for another lengthy score for SBVC, tying the game again, 14-14.

On the next drive for LA Valley, they took the longest drive of the half, going 75 yards and taking a grueling 5:29 off of the clock, breaking the tie and taking a 21-14 lead into the half.

Unfortunately, SBVC fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half, which the Monarchs turned into seven points quickly, putting SBVC in a huge 14-point hole, 28-14. SBVC got close to returning to the end zone, when on the opening play of the next drive, Epperson connected on his longest pass of the evening, a 43 yard catch-and-run by freshman backup quarterback Josh Drucker (Carrolltan (TX) Creekview). Eventually the drive died on the LA Valley 24.

On the next drive, the SBVC defense forced a fumble, which was recovered by Gaines at the Monarchs 20 yard line. Three plays later, Walker found himself in the end zone again, after a missed extra point, SBVC was down eight, 28-20.

The SBVC defense had a bad card dealt their way on the next drive for LA Valley, as they had the Monarchs on a 3rd down and 5 yard. On that down, the Monarchs decided to pass and SBVC got a hand on the pass, tipping it into the hands of a different LA Valley receiver for an 80 yard gain. Two plays later, LA Valley was up by 15 points, 35-20.

On the ensuing drive, SBVC went 88 yards in 11 plays and Epperson connected with his most reliable receiver, sophomore wide receiver Mason Rutherford (Ashland (KY) Fairview) for a 29 yard score, to get back to within eight points, 27-35.

Both teams spent the next few drives going back and forth, but an interception by LA Valley ended up being foiled by the SBVC defense, but back-to-back sacks with a fumble recovered by the Monarchs defense turned into another seven points.

Information, Photos & Story provided by SBVC Sports Information.