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By Melissa Elswick
Staff Writer
WEST COVINA – Struggling most the game, the Bishop Amat Lancers were able to come back from a tied first half to defeat the West Covina Bulldogs, 21-7, Friday night.
Junior running back Jay Anderson was the standout player of the game as he stepped by scoring all three Lancer touchdowns.
The Lancers struck first in the opening quarter as, after several attempts for a touchdown, Anderson found his way through the Bulldogs defense to score from 3 yards.
This seemed to bring much-needed confidence and energy that seemed to be lacking from the Lancers, but that feeling was short-lived as it turned out to be Amat’s only score of a mistake-plagued first half.
The Lancers managed to hold the Bulldogs scoreless for most of the second quarter, but West Covina used a quarterback sneak to tie the game at 7-7 with only three minutes remaining in the half.
In the third quarter senior receiver Darien Johnson and senior quarterback Jerry McClanahan connected on a 40-yard catch and run, which put the Lancers in scoring position. Once again, Anderson ran for a short touchdown putting Bishop Amat back in the lead at 13-7. Senior kicker Alexander Ragsdale made the extra point putting the score at 14-7.
Bishop Amat held the momentum briefly, but on their next possession, McClanahan had a pass intended for sophomore Rio Ruiz intercepted.
The Bishop Amat defense held, however, forcing the Bulldogs to punt the ball with 6:04 on the clock.
The Lancers next possession was all Anderson.
After Anderson received a handoff from McClanahan, he broke a few tackles and scampered down the sidelines. When it appeared a West Covina defender would push him out of bounds before scoring, Anderson put on the brakes allowing the defender to run by. Graduate Deshawn Gaisie, whom Anderson replaced as the starter, seemed impressed by the move as he watched from the sidelines.
The touchdown put the Lancers up 21-7 and finished the scoring for the night.
Next up for the Lancers is a road game against the Damian Spartans next Friday.
