In a dramatic defensive showdown at Merrill Douglas Stadium, the San Diego Mesa College Olympians pulled off a nail-biting 12-8 victory over the Cerritos College Falcons, improving their record to 2-0 for the season.
This game vastly differed from their 65-0 win on Sept. 7, but with the play of the defense and special teams’ unit, the team walked away with a victory that showed toughness and determination.
Both teams struggled in the first half. Neither side managed to put points on the board, as each drive became a tug-of-war for points. San Diego Mesa committed two turnovers—one fumble and one interception—which could have shifted momentum to Cerritos. However, the Olympians’ defense held firm, preventing the Falcons from capitalizing on the mistakes.
A standout moment came from defensive back John Shepard, who blocked a critical Cerritos field goal attempt, keeping the game locked in a scoreless tie.
The second half opened with both teams looking to break the stalemate, and San Diego Mesa struck first. With 11:06 remaining in the third quarter, Kicker Danny Valencia nailed a crucial field goal, putting the Olympians on the scoreboard and breaking the deadlock. The field goal marked the beginning of a much more eventful half, as both defenses continued to battle, but Mesa’s special teams and defensive unit stepped up in critical moments to maintain their slim lead.
Valencia played a massive role in the victory as well, punting seven times for 312 yards with, five punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Both his 47 and 69-yard punts downed Cerritos at their 1-yard line, playing a crucial role in pinning the Falcons deep in their territory.
Early in the fourth quarter, with Cerritos pinned at their 1-yard line after a Valencia punt, Mesa’s defense struck again. Linebacker Cooper Mau tackled running back Michael Hayes in the end zone for a safety, extending the Olympians’ lead to 5-0 and keeping the momentum firmly in their favor.
Cerritos finally broke through later in the fourth quarter with a seven-play, 89-yard drive that culminated in a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Evan Tomich to wide receiver Isaiah Blair. A successful two-point conversion gave the Falcons an 8-5 lead, putting the pressure back on Mesa College.
With time running out and the pressure mounting, Mesa’s offense was in a critical third-and-6 situation. Although quarterback Jax Leatherwood’s pass fell incomplete, a Cerritos defender was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, gifting the Olympians a new set of downs. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Leatherwood connected with tailback Santiago Salas for a 39-yard touchdown, giving Mesa a 12-8 lead with just minutes remaining.
Cerritos had one last chance to snatch victory, starting a drive deep in Mesa territory after a short punt. With just 15 yards separating them from the game-winning touchdown, Cerritos threatened to take the lead. However, Mesa’s defense once again stood tall. Safety Jayden Cortell broke up a crucial pass in the end zone, and linebacker Mau stopped Tomich short on a scramble, securing the Olympians’ hard-fought 12-8 victory.
The Olympians showcased their resilience in the face of adversity, proving they can win high-scoring blowouts and hard-fought defensive battles.
Coach Gary Watkins reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “I’m just very proud of how our guys battled for 60 minutes. We told them, you know, last week wasn’t an indicator of what the rest of our season was going to be like. We’ve got a very tough schedule.”
With a 2-0 start to the season, Mesa College will look to build on its momentum as it continues its quest for dominance.
The Olympians’ next game is on Saturday, Sept. 21, an away matchup against Golden West.
