Jeremy Moussa connected with a Latavion Staples for an 86-yard pass and run touchdown with 4:12 remaining in the game, and the SBVC defense held Antelope Valley out of the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt with 49 seconds remaining to pull out a 20-19 victory Saturday night.
The Wolverines got out to a 9-0 halftime lead thanks to a 30-yard field goal from Ben Falck and a 33-yard fumble recovery return by Shaylan Lewis in the second quarter, on a windy evening in Antelope Valley.
The Mauraders got on the board on the opening drive of the second half to cut the score to 9-7, before Falck kicked his second field goal of the night, this time from 25 yards.
Both teams' defenses were tight all night, as each team only gained 15 first downs apiece - forcing nine punts each.
Antelope Valley took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter, leading to the late game drama. The Wolverines got the ball back on its own 14 with 4:24 remaining down by one. On the play, Moussa scrambled out of the pocket and and threw down field to Staples, who had a step on his defender. Staples made the catch and outran the defense for the go-ahead score. Moussa hit Tate Pringle on a two-point attempt to make the score 20-13.
The Wolverines' defense appeared to stop the Mauraders on the ensuing drive around midfield, but a personal foul penalty to SBVC extended the drive, allowing Antelope Valley time to score to get back within one. AVC went for two, and SBVC was called for pass interference on the play, giving the Mauraders one more try. On the next try, each team committed a penalty, setting up a dramatic third try. On the play, the SBVC defense stacked up running back Kalai Clark at the 1 yard line to secure the win.
SBVC's offense struggled at times, only racking up 334 yards of total offense on the night, with 248 of that coming in the air. Meanwhile, Darrell Turner Jr. ground out 72 yards on 22 carries on the evening. The SBVC defense, held AVC to only 286 yards of offense, causing four fumbles (three recovered) and one interception.