SBVC (5-1; 2-1) received a balanced offensive attack, a huge kick blocked, an even larger interception and some luck in knocking off the previously unbeaten Victorville Victor Valley Rams (5-1; 2-1), 28-27.
In a must win game, SBVC did and it was a big one as the Rams were on a 16 game winning streak and SBVC was on an 11 game home winning streak. The Rams streak ended at 16 and SBVC extended their streak to 12 consecutive home victories. Prior to Saturday's game, Victor Valley had the nation's longest active football winning streak at 16 games. That makes 3 undefeated teams that SBVC has taken down in the last two days as Women's Soccer and Men's Soccer both defeated Rio Hondo on Friday.
As one would expect in a game of this caliber, it would come down to the final quarter. With the Rams up by one, 14-13 and driving to start the fourth quarter, the Victor Valley quarterback fumbled the ball, which was recovered by sophomore linebacker Colbert Calhoun (Riverside John Wesley North) on the SBVC 44 yard line. Four plays later SBVC was in the end zone as freshman running back Deion Walker (Matthews (NC) Butler) darted in from two yards out to make the score SBVC 19-14. In a two-point conversion attempt, sophomore quarterback Daniel Epperson (Phelan Serrano) connected with freshman wide receiver Da'Quan Jenkins (Riverside John Wesley North) on a 13 yard conversion to give SBVC a 21-14 lead.
Not to be outdone, the Rams went 65 yards in 6 plays, tying the game at 21-21 on a 16 yard touchdown pass. SBVC would return the favor 11 plays later as they drove 65 yards in 5:24 and caped off the drive with a 4-yard pass from Epperson to freshman tight end Samuel Dominguez (Riverside La Sierra) and after an extra point by freshman kicker Alex Raya (Beaumont H.S.) SBVC again grabbed a lead, 28-21.
Unfortunately, Victor Valley would drive 87 yards in 9 plays and end their drive on a 27 yard touchdown pass with 2:04 remaining. But then the miraculous happened as the Rams attempted their extra point, Calhoun rounded the corner and got enough of an arm on the ball to block the ball, which was recovered by freshman defensive back Tim Hunter (Redlands Citrus Valley). SBVC maintained the slimmest of leads, one-point, 28-27.
On the very next drive, SBVC fumbled the ball with 1:47 left in the game, putting the ball on the Rams 47. As Victor Valley burned the clock, they ended up burning themselves as three plays later as sophomore defensive back Kevin Stephenson (Rialto Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower) grabbed a deflected pass out of the air and scampered 20 yards to secure the victory for SBVC.
SBVC did many things brilliantly, but two that stick out above the rest, they maintained long drives and used the clock, collecting 32:40 time of possession and they committed very few penalties, only 4 for 45 yards. That is a recipe for success.
Although Epperson was sacked six times, his offensive linemen allowed him to play an amazing game, going 20 of 30 for 315 yards and 3 touchdowns. Epperson's favorite target was sophomore wide receiver Mason Rutherford (Ashland (KY) Fairview) who had nine catches for 204 yards and two scores, he also had 81 kick return yards and 14 punt return yards for a total of 299 all-purpose yards.
Walker had 25 carries for 128 yards and a score, averaging 5 yards per carry with a long of 24 yards and two catches for 32 yards.
Sophomore defensive back Daniel Gonzales (Redlands East Valley) had six total tackles with three solo, leading the team with two huge interceptions for a total of 8 return yards. Sophomore defensive back Jeffrey Harman (Redlands East Valley) and sophomore linebacker Chibuike Nwuda (La Verne Damien) grabbed sacks on the evening.
Photo by Wade Byars.
Information, Photos & Story provided by SBVC Sports Information.