The Pierce College Brahmas pulled ahead against the Victor Valley Rams on Oct. 5, with a 45-35 win, which increased their overall record to 3-2. This game marked the final game before the football team enters before conference play.
Coach Devon Esteen made notes of some of the key moments that led to this Brahma victory.
“Some of the key plays we had today were our defensive backs finally coming down making tackles instead of missing tackles,” Esteen said. “Seon Wilburn had a big interception that was a big momentum turn. After his interception, defense never looked back andv pulled away with the game.”
Less than two minutes before the end of the second quarter, the Brahmas lost possession of the ball. andI IitIt looked like the game would remain a tie into halftime, until Defensive Lineman Seon Wilburn made an interception, regaining possession for the Brahmas.
With less than a minute on the clock, the Brahmas made their way up the field with a complete pass to Tederrius Strowbridge.
The Brahmas got stopped short of the end zone with one second left before halftime. They decided to set up for a field goal in an attempt to break the tie and go into halftime with a lead. However, the field goal turned out to be a fake field goal and the Brahmas ran the ball into the endzone, securing a touchdown, with an extra point field goal and, breaking the tie at the end of the second quarter with a score of 35-28.
“It was just the team coming together finally, putting all those small things together and just playing and producing,” Receiver Tenorris Merkel said. “Everybody had to be locked in together. And that’s what brought us together and got us this win today.”
During the third quarter, the Brahmas are able to make a 20- yard field goal pushing the score more in their favor.
The Rams made a touchdown in the fourth quarter. with the The extra point mademaking the game close with a score of 38-35.
After the Rams touchdown, the Brahmas were kept on their side until a first down allowed them to make a push up to the 48- yard line.
Running Back Randy Peters then pushed deeper into Rams territory, making his way down to the 28- yard line.
With two minutes left until the end of the game, Running Back Ladarius Gatlin was able to score the final touchdown of the game, securing the Brahmas victory over the Rams.
“My guys did their assignment as far as blocking, but I had to try to beat that angle because the guy was coming at an angle and I just had to outrun him using my Florida speed,” Gatlin said. “It felt good man, it felt good”
The Brahmas’ next game will be Oct. 19, 2024 at Shepard Stadium against Glendale Community College with a special start time of 10 a.m. This game will mark their first game of conference play for the season.