DEFENSE STEPS UP AS MARAUDERS LOSE CLOSE BATTLE WITH SAN BERNARDINO

AVC Football lost 19-20 in a thriller against SanBernardino Valley on Saturday.

The Wolverines came in with a top-ranked offense and a 5-1 record to prove it. The Marauders brought a 3-2 record into the first conference game and were in great position to pull off the upset as this one went down to the last minute.

Defense controlled the first quarter as three fumbles, four punts, and two failed field goal attempts resulted in a 0-0 score. San Bernardino Valley was able to get on the board first in early in the second quarter after a 6-play 19-yard drive resulted in a 30-yard field goal by Ben Falck. The Wolverines then scored again late in the second quarter off a Jaylen Miller fumble. Shaylan Lewis recovered and took it 33 yards for the touchdown. San Bernardino led 9-0 after missing a two-point conversion. The Marauders defensive line held the Wolverines offense in check for the rest of the half as Reginald Wright, Brannen Goodman, and Kalai Clark provided steady pressure.

Down 9-0 after the half, AVC's offense showed some life as they scored on their first drive in the third quarter. Davon Jones set up first and goal from the 9-yard line when he took a screen pass 34 yards before being pushed out of bounds. Kalai Clark then punched it in for the score to bring the Marauders with two.

San Bernardino responded with a 25-yard field goal extending the lead to 12-7. Antelope Valley's offense continued to move the ball on a 5-play, 75-yard drive. Errius Collins scored on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Selvig, giving AVC the12-7 lead after a missed two-point conversion. Selvig finished 7-10 with 130 yards passing and one touchdown. Collins led the Marauders in receiving with four catches for 86 yards and a score.

The Wolverines bounced back in the fourth quarter with a big 86-yard score. Jeremy Moussa connected with Latavion Staple, and the Wolverines were back on top 20-13 after a two-point conversion with 4:12 left to play. Antelope Valley then went on a 9-play, 3-minute drive setting up a potential game-winning situation. Tyler Selvig completed a 24-yard pass to Artell Marks, putting the Marauders at the Wolverine 1-yard line. Kalai Clark checked in again on offense and provided the 1-yard touchdown rush pulling them within one point, 19-20. Playing for the win, Coach Jehlicka's offense came out passing on the two-point conversion. Tyler Selvig's pass to Jaylynn Harvey drew a pass interference penalty, and the Marauders were a little closer. The Marauders appeared to be headed for the upset after Kalai Clark ran it in for the conversion, but offsetting penalties forced a replay of the down. Clark was then stopped just short of the goal line. The Wolverines ran out the remaining seconds after kick-off to get the win.

The Marauders (3-3) will travel to College of the Desert before returning home to face Mt. San Jacinto on November 2nd at 2:00 pm.

 Photos by William Ortiz