Lancers fall short to JSerra in late-game comeback
Lancer football prepared to play a highly-ranked JSerra team that was highly touted among some of the best in California.
The Lancers came into the game with Junior Running Back phenomenon Damien Moore still nursing his knee injury, and would once again have to figure out the rushing game without him.
The team was also without starting safety Matthew Hoskins due to a suspension by CIF for an altercation with an opposing player during the Paramount football game.
The game opened up with a humbling moment for the Lancers and their fans after JSerra sophomore Samuel Green took the opening kickoff back 90 yards to open the game 7-0.
The Lions continued their dominance and former Mater Dei running back Christ Street ran in a touchdown to bring the JSerra lead to 14-0 against the Lancers.
The Lancers finally got their chance to bring them within a score when Senior Blake Archuleta connected with Senior Wide Reciever Daniel Garcia for the touchdown to bring the Lancers within a score.
At the half, the Lions led 21-7.
After halftime, the Lancers came out with confidence after holding a team that was supposed to dominate them to 21 points and were able to add on a score of their own.
Much of the third quarter was a back and forth defensive battle with punts coming in excess.
With the fourth quarter beginning, the Lancers found themselves in a 14-point hole and nearing a dagger to the heart with JSerra in scoring position; things were not looking good for their chance of winning.
With the Lions inside their own 10-yard line the JSerra quarterback dropped back and threw the ball but it was deflected by Senior Mason Montanez and caught by Senior Linebacker Isaiah “Bam” Samano.
This shifted the momentum of the game and the Lancers drove down the field and scored on an insane scrabble by Archuleta after escaping multiple defenders.
The Lancer crowd was roaring from both the student and the parent sections and with no hesitation Coach Hagerty called for the onside kick and the Lancers recovered on the JSerra side of the field.
The Lancers drove down a short field and ended up in scoring position because of the connections between Archuleta and his counterpart Senior Jaden Allen.
The Lancers moved the ball to inside the JSerra 10 yard line and Archuleta tosses the ball to the sophomore tight end Donovan Clinton to bring the score to 21-20 JSerra.
The Lancers knowing the clock was short and they had caught many breaks decided to go for the 2 point conversion to win the game.
The play ended with a controversial play as described by many players and coaches with Archuleta throwing off his back foot to a heavily covered or held tight end, Rueben Murrillo.
The Lancers attempted another onside kick for one last shot which was recovered by the Lions as they ran out the clock and handed the Lancers their first win of the 2018 season.
The Lancers will be on the road next week against the Rancho Cucamonga Cougars.
