The MSJC football team did not trail in the game Saturday until the final 18 seconds when Antelope Valley was able to score the go ahead touchdown to give them a dramatic 21-20 win over the Eagles.
The Eagles took command of the game early as they scored the first 14 points of the contest in the opening period. Quarterback Brett Virgil and running back Sherod White each scored a rushing touchdown to put MSJC ahead. Virgil's came from 11 yards out with 9 minutes to play in the first and White added his just six minutes later from 17 yards out. AVC would find their way onto the scoreboard with 5:21 to play before half to cut the lead to 14-7 at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter AVC was able to tie the game with a touchdown on the first play of the fourth on a 12 yard TD run. The Eagles then got a big play from their defense when Josiah Pinon picked off an AVC pass to set the Eagles up with a first down at the Marauder 24 yard line. Three plays later Virgil crossed the goal line from a yard out and the Eagles led 20-14 with 6:51 to play in the game. MSJC failed to convert a two point conversion and the lead remained at 6. The Eagle defense then came up with a big goal line stand turning AVC away at the MSJC three yard line with 4:32 left. The Eagles were forced to punt deep in their own territory and AVC would have one more shot, taking over first and 10 at th Eagles 40 with 2:54 on the clock. A dramatic 7 play drive was capped off by a 8 yard touchdown pass for AVC with 18 seconds remaining and after the extra point was good AVC had their first lead of the day at 21-20. MSJC could not answer on their desperation final drive as time ran out.
Virgil finished the game throwing for 263 yards on 17 of 25 passing, he also rushed for 57 yards on 8 attempts. White ran for 73 yards on 17 carries. Cayden Chambers had a team high 4 receptions for 99 yards. On defense Josiah Pinon and Steven Bradshaw had team highs of 6 and 5 tackles, each also had an interception.
The loss drops MSJC to 6-2 overall on the season they fall to 1-2 in American Mountain League games. The Eagles return to action for their final home game of the season on Saturday when they host College of the Desert in the annual Palms to Pines Trophy game at 1pm at Carl Quandt Stadium.