Lions Run It Back, Perfect Again

On a day where the De Anza College football team honored its sophomores, more history took place in Cupertino - and the record-breaking fashion garnered national attention in a 99-3 victory over visting Cabrillo College.

The No. 17 Mountain Lions posted a perfect 10-0 mark for the second year in a row and completed its first season in the Golden Coast League at 5-0.

Of the 66 football teams in the 3C2A, just two teams completed the regular season at 10-0 -- De Anza (the only American Division and Northern California unbeaten) and No. 1 Golden West (National Division).

Overshadowing the earned home-field advantage in the NCFC American Division championship game in two weeks were the point-totals believed to be single-game state records: 99 total points, 99 unanswered points, and margin of victory (96).

"Going 10-0 in consecutive regular seasons is a special accomplishment and this sophomore class is part of elite company in all of college football," De Anza College head coach Joe D'Agostino said.

"We were humbled by a tough one-point loss in the division championship last season, so we need to carry this momentum into Game 11. First, we have permission to enjoy this moment - something we should not take for granted."

The previous De Anza record for most points scored occured earlier this season, as the Lions posted an 83-0 home win over Hartnell College on Oct. 11.

Saturday's game started with Cabrillo marching down the field and inside the DA five yard line. The Seahawks settled for a 20-yard field goal, taking a 3-0 lead.

Cabrillo gained 55 yards on the opening drive - and ended with 97 yards on its next 14 possessions.

De Anza answered on its opening drive (24-yd TD run by QB Ian Kirby) - and never looked back. The Lions scored TDs on every possession, except for a fumble at the Cabrillo 20 yard line just before half - when they led 36-3.

Kirby finished three-plus quarters of action with 302 passing yards (21 of 24) and two TD passes.

Sophomore All-American WR Akeem Wright led the team with 133 receiving yards on eight catches, two TDs, and a few more receptions worthy of his highlight reel. His one-handed catch, diving backwards in the corner of the endzone brought the crowd to life and gave DA a commanding 43-3 lead.

Four Lions running backs found the endzone, including sophomore Lamy Constant (team-high 51 yards) who scored twice.

Freshman kicker Armando Rodriguez set a school record connecting on all 13 extra points.

Backup QBs Hiro Diamond and Brandon Arceo (3-3, 104, 2 TDs) had opportunities to lead the offense as well.

Plenty of Lion reserves go into the action and scored their first college touchdowns, including RB Fausto Gonzales (38-yd run).

Freshman LB Lamar Heath scored on a fumble recovery.

The Lions' special teams turned three fourth-quarter blocked punts into touchdowns: DB Davon Hopkins (with 8:46 remaining), DB Ben Brewer (3:10), and DB SeongWon Jeong (1:03) to close the scoring.

UP NEXT: After a week off, the Lions will host PAC-7 League champion Feather River (9-1) on Saturday, Nov. 22 (time TBD). Both teams met in Week 3, as De Anza needed a fourth-quarter TD drive to win 35-29. The No. 23 Golden Eagles were part of the National (state playoff) Division prior to this season.

Photo By Pierre Whitsey