With five seconds remaining in the game, Pacific Grove’s offense was set up at Monte Vista Christian’s 10-yard line with a chance to punch in the game-tying score.
But that stingy Mustang defense stopped the Breakers on the final play of the game for a 14-7 victory in nonleague action Thursday night.
With the win, MVC improved to a 3-0 overall record this season. Pacific Grove dropped to 1-2, having lost two straight since winning the “Shoe Game” against Carmel in the teams’ season opener Aug. 28.
It’s the first time since 2023 that the Mustangs have won three consecutive to begin the fall campaign.
The Breakers got things started when the special teams unit blocked a punt that set them up in great field position.
They capitalized on the mistake as quarterback Charlie Edmonds connected with Floyd Smith for an 11-yard touchdown reception, putting them ahead at 7-0 going into halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, MVC senior quarterback Evan Vessey found junior wide receiver Zach Moran for a 3-yard TD that tied the contest at 7-all.
Moments later, MVC’s special teams unit came through with a blocked punt off PG’s personal protector.
Senior utility player Jordan Ramirez put the Mustangs ahead at 14-7 after he broke free for a 17-yard rushing touchdown.
Ramirez finished with 57 yards rushing and the one score on 10 carries, along with 70 yards receiving on four receptions.
Teammate Bryson Boles had a team-best six receptions for 78 yards, while Vessey completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 214 yards with one touchdown and one interceptions.
On defense, Moran recorded one interception and tallied six tackles. Junior linebacker Reece Walker was once again a huge impact with a team-best 11 tackles, followed by Brandon Hagen with nine tackles and Parker Brown with seven.
Next up, MVC (3-0) plays at Alvarez (1-2) in nonleague play Sept. 17 at 7:30pm.
St. Francis 32, at Alvarez 26 (2 OT): The Sharks erupted for 25 points in the second half to defeat the Eagles in double overtime in nonleague action Thursday night.
In the second overtime period, senior quarterback Max Madrigal connected with senior wide receiver Colton Stevens on a 25-yard touchdown pass that helped the Sharks earn their first win of the fall season.
“Anyone who’s played football or been around football, not just watching it, you can’t take any win for granted,” St. Francis head coach John Ausman said. “That’s key. Those things don’t happen every day.”
Junior running back Isaac Rivera accounted for all four touchdowns for Alvarez, including one just before halftime that put them ahead at 13-7.
The message from Ausman and his coaching staff during the break was simple.
“It’s football, there’s adversity,” he said. “Just one play, the next play, the next play, and having that energy and that mentality that you didn’t see versus Greenfield at all from us was good to see.”
St. Francis took a seven point lead, 20-13, but a fumble by the offense allowed Alvarez to stick around.
The Eagles rallied back in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 20-all to force the first overtime period.
In overtime, Rivera scored first but the extra point attempt was blocked by the Sharks.
On the ensuing drive, Madrigal made a great throw to senior wide receiver Keon Barcinas-Hill for a TD reception. St. Francis had a chance to close out the game, yet the extra point attempt was also unsuccessful.
In the second overtime period, senior defensive back Jayden Flores recorded his third interception of the night that set up the game-winning score for St. Francis.
“There’s a lot of moments where we could have given up, but it was that next play mentality that we need to continue and, to be honest, build off of,” Ausmand said. “We’ll see if we can do that.”
Next up, St. Francis (1-2) plays at Soledad (0-2) in nonleague play Sept. 18 at 7:30pm.
Editor’s note: Check back later for an updated version with quotes and more highlights.
