Pierce stops Victor Valley at the goal line for the win

The Pierce College football team’s defense was able to hold off Victor Valley College in the closing seconds of the game to come away with a 17-16 win on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Pierce was able to hold a 9-3 lead through three quarters from the leg of kicker Daniel Schlorf, who managed to convert three out of four field goal attempts.

Tyler Dobbins, quarterback for Victor Valley, netted 156 throwing yards and connected for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, giving Pierce a fight to the finish and helped give his team a 10-9 lead early in the 4th quarter, hitting receiver Charles Macneil on a 22-yard pass to cap a 59-yard drive.

Pierce was able to regain the lead when quarterback Nick Arbuckle, who completed 29 out of 44 passes for 234 yards, found wideout Eric Waters late in the fourth quarter to convert an 18-yard touchdown, finishing a 75-yard drive to take a 17-10 lead.

The Victor Valley offense responded quickly, driving down the field for 67 yards, where Nicholas Young caught a 17-yard pass, scoring a touchdown and bringing his team to a 17-16 score.

Victor Valley head coach Dave Hoover decided to go for the win and sent his offense back on the field to try to go for the two-point conversion, but Pierce’s defense stopped Victor Valley’s running back Daryon Mosley in his tracks, sealing the win.

Linebacker Reece Schmidt led the Pierce defense with seven tackles and grabbed one sack, while defensive back Jay’Onn Myles snared one interception which he returned for 50 yards.

Running backs Josh Mathis and DeShawn Jones led the ground game for Pierce, combining for 127 rushing yards including a 35-yard run from Mathis.

Pierce will play Mt. San Jacinto College next Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. for the Brahmas’ first home game this season at Shepherd Stadium.