The MSJC football team came up a two point conversion short of going undefeated in American Mountain Conference play on Saturday as they lost on the road to Pasadena City 28-26, but the Eagles still earned a share of the conference title.
The Eagles fell behind 14-0 after the first period, but rallied back to give themselves a chance at forcing overtime or at least tying the contest with 5 minutes remaining. The Lancers opened the game with a quick 5 play 60 yard drive to grab the early 7-0 lead just less than three minutes in, but MSJC looked poised to answer back when they drove down the Pasadena four yard line on the ensuing possesion. The Eagles however came away empty on that drive and the Lancers went 96 yards on 9 plays to build the lead to 14.
MSJC would get on the board on the first play of the second period when Rashoud Shelton caught a pass from running back Jaylen Magee as the Eagles used a trick play to score. Nick Sabilla's extra point however was no good and the score stayed 14-6. The Lancers would add another first half touchdown to give themselves the biggest lead of the game at 21-6, but late in the second MSJC drove 71 yards in 8 plays scoring on an 18 yard run by Robert Coleman to cut the lead to 21-12. Magee then ran in the two point conversion and the teams went to half with Pasadena up 21-14.
The Eagles pulled within a point with 4:33 to play in the third period when Sherod White scored on a 13 yard run, but another missed extra point kept the Lancers ahead. Pasadena scored their only touchdown of the second half on the opening play of the fourth period to push the lead back to 8 at 28-20. Taliq Brown caught a pass from Devan Freedland with 5 minutes to go in the game and scored from 27 yards out for the Eagles as they pulled within 2. The two point conversion however failed and the Eagles still trailed by 28-26. Pasadena was able to move the ball enough on their final possesion to hold on for the victory.
Despite the loss the Eagles will share the American Mountain Conference title with Pasadena City and Grossmont, each team finished league play with a single loss on their record.
The conference title is the first for MSJC since 1999.
Sherod White finished Saturday's game with 115 yards on the ground on just 10 carries, Taliq Brown had 8 receptions for 118 yards. On defense Darryl Moody had a team best 9 tackles and Alonta Orange and Angel Quevedo both earned a sack.