The Pierce College football team played their most complete game of the season Saturday to a crowd of 500 spectators.
The Brahmas defeated San Bernardino Valley College 58-36 in the American Championship Bowl. It was their first Bowl win since 1984
Pierce led throughout and dominated all facets of the game.
Quarterback Exavier Johnson, named the game’s Most Valuable Player, had touchdown passes of 75, 69, 91 and 36 yards. Johnson threw a new team season high of 428 yards.
“Honestly, he is a great quarterback to play with,” said Damon Julian, the Brahmas’ leading wide receiver.
Julian was named the offensive player of the game with 6 receptions for 219 yards and 2 scores.
Brandon Reeves took home the top defensive honor after totaling 5 tackles and blocking 2 punts in the opening quarter.
The defense provided pressure on the Wolverines’ quarterback all night and kept the state’s leading rusher, Kristin James, in check.
James finished the game with 122 yards on 24 carries and 2 touchdowns.
The Brahma defense carried a shutout into the third quarter. The shutout was lost however when, Wolverines quarterback Roman Neville connected with wide receiver Cody Smith for a 44-yard touchdown.
Neville finished the game with 219 yards passing and 2 touchdowns.
What set this game apart from the rest of the season was the Brahmas’ ball control. Pierce limited their turnovers to a single interception.
“Focus,” said head coach Efrain Martinez. “We just focused, it was our best game since I have been at Pierce.”
Earlier in the week Martinez was named the Pacific Conference Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Julian also earned first team honors, while both Johnson and Clinton Granger were second team selections at quarterback.
Looking to the future Martinez alluded to what the season and the Bowl win meant to the program.
“An edge in recruiting local kids,” said Martinez. “We have an edge on Glendale, Valley and Moorpark now and we never had that before.”
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Pierce College players dump water on assistant coach Jason Sabolic in celebration of their win at the AmericanChampionship Bowl since 1984. (Joe Kukuczka / Roundup )
Wolverines defenders struggle to bring down Pierce wide receiver Daniel Berhe duringthe American Championship Bowl victory over the San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines. (Joe Kukuczka / Roundup)
