MARAUDERS OUTLAST GROSSMONT IN OVERTIME

PHOTOS by Andrew Rivera and Brookem Steedman

AVC Football captured a 34-31 overtime victory over the Grossmont Griffins in their home opener on Saturday.

Both teams entered week two with one loss and looking for their first win of the season. The Marauders struck first in the opening quarter when Caleb Gardner capped off an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Griffins responded with 24 unanswered points, including an 80-yard punt return at the end of the second quarter to give Grossmont a 17-7 lead at the half.

Down 24-7 in the third, AVC got back on the board when Sharmon Rester hooked up with Rico Becerra for a 59-yard touchdown pass. Gage Butler added a 24-yard field goal with under a minute left in the quarter to bring the Marauders to within a touchdown at 17-24. Isaiah Daniels evened it at 24-24 with a 41-yard touchdown run with 10:00 minutes left in the fourth. The Griffins came right back with a touchdown pass to take a 31-24 lead with 2:01 left on the clock. Sharmon Rester then threw his second TD pass of the night, a 14-yard strike to Derrell Lloyd with :33 seconds left in regulation. The Marauder defense held tight to send the game into overtime.

In the extra period, AVC's defense forced Grossmont into a 35-yard field goal attempt, which they missed. The Marauders weren't able to score a touchdown in their overtime attempt and were forced to try a field goal as well. Gage Butler came through from 25 yards out to give Antelope Valley the 34-31 win. Butler finished 2-for-3, including the game-winner, and made all 4 extra-point kicks.

Sharmon Rester II finished 26-51 with 409 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 63 yards on the ground. Caleb Gardner led the rushing attack with 93 yards on 15 attempts with a touchdown. Derrell Lloyd finished with 7 catches for 133 yards and a score. Rico Becerra ended with 59 yards and a score, while Taajean Brown had 3 catches for 71 yards. Brown also has 73 yards in kickoff returns. Jamie Hawkins led the defense with 7 tackles and 1 interception. Kevin Holley had 6 tackles, while Tyrell Brown recorded 2 sacks, and Christopher Early had an interception. 

AVC (1-1) will travel to Saddleback on Sept. 16 before returning home to face Bakersfield on Saturday, Sept. 23.