The MSJC football team picked up their third win in the last four weeks as they defeated Grossmont 45-21 Saturday night at HCN Bank Stadium.
Grossmont scored the night's first touchdown just five minutes into the game on an 18 yard touchdown pass, but the Eagles would respond to score the next 28 points. Matthew Caldera got the MSJC scoring started on the night when he capped off an 8 play 51 yard drive with a 2 yard touchdown run to tie the game after one quarter. The Eagles took the lead on the first play of the second period when Zack Zella connected with Christian Kretz for a 43 yard touchdown pass. Four minutes later Zella hooked up with Caldera on a 5 yard scoring strike to give MSJC a 21-7 lead. Mykai Skinner added a one yard touchdown run to push the lead all the way to 28-7. Grossmont would score their second TD with under a minute to play in the half, but the Eagles were not done yet. MSJC scored on a quick 4 play 62 yard drive when Zella threw his third touchdown pass of the half, this time to Elijah Simley for 37 yards to make the score 35-14 at the break.
In the second half the Eagles put the game out of reach on another Simley TD reception, this time from 3 yards out, with 6:51 to go in the third quarter. The Eagles would add a 36 yard field goal from Mason Krause in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring.
Zella, had a huge night, he finished the game 34 of 43 thorugh the air for 383 yards and 4 touchdowns. Kretz and Simley had big nights as well as they combined for 20 catches and over 250 yards. Kretz finished will 11 receptions for 125 yards and Simley had 9 grabs for 136. Caldera added to his two TDs with 73 yards on the ground on 17 carries.
Kamari Ross, Quentin Evans, Miron Hazem, and Tyrone Oloa all four had 5 total tackles on the day to lead the defense. DeShawn Brooks had an interception while Koa Kaleopaa and Andrew Arroyo combined for a sack.
MSJC is now 3-6 overall on the season and 3-3 in National Division Southern League games. They will play their final game of the season on Saturday night at HCN Bank Stadium when they host Saddleback at 6 pm.