Late-Game Heroics Move Lions To 8-0
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
De Anza (8-0) | 14 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 25 |
|
Redwoods (6-2) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 22 |
The De Anza College Lions left campus on Friday morning in search of a road victory against one of their toughest opponents of the season.
The team from Cupertino will return early Sunday morning with their perfect record intact - after closing Game 8 in dramatic fashion. Needless to day, the seven-hour road trip back home will be a lot sweeter.
The No. 25 Lions (8-0, 3-0 in PAC 7) withstood a second-half rally from College of the Redwoods (6-2, 3-1) to stay atop the league standings.
After the host Corsairs tied the game, 22-22 with 6:59 left in the fourth quarter, sophomore QB Antevious Jackson led the offense down the field.
In the game-winning drive, Jackson and sophomore RB Elijah Hadley ran behind the offensive line; and receiving-playmakers Devin Dawkins and Akeen Wright were able to move the chains.
Facing their only third down on the drive, the Lions were sent backwards on a six-yard sack - placing the ball at the Redwoods 23 yard line.
After a Redwoods timeout, sophomore K Tim Blackmore drilled a career long 40-yard field goal - with plenty of distance - to give De Anza a 25-22 lead with 1:22 remaining.
The stage was set for the Lions defense (entering the game as the state's top scoring unit) to close the game.
Inside their own 30, the Corsairs managed a six-yard rush from QB Bryton Livingston on first down. On second and four, Livingston was forced to leave the pocket and under heavy pressure by freshman DL Andrew Rheubottom, his pass was intercepted by sophomore LB Osman Seasay at the 41 yard line.
Jackson finished 29-of-39 passing for 342 yards, three touchdowns (a successful 2-pt conversion pass) and no interceptions. He added 57 rushing yards. Jackson now has 28 TD passes on the season against just one interception (Week 3, Sept. 28).
Blackmore also had a solid day punting, with a 42-yard average and one inside the 20.
Sesay led the Lions with seven tackles (2.5 for loss). Sophomore DB D'Andre Greeley recorded his sixth interception on the season - his fifth in the last three games . Greeley's new career total is 16.
Jackson connected on scoring passes to Wright (finished with 6 receptions, 51 yards), Dawkins (10 for 110), and Aidan Butler (80-yard score to give DA an early 14-0 lead).
UP NEXT: De Anza will host College of the Siskiyous - the other remaining 3-0 team in the PAC 7.