Football Highlights 2007

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Hawaiian Punch Bowl

City College of San Francisco 24, Sierra 10

 

Saturday November 10, 2007

Sierra 59, College of the Sequoias 57

Sierra College capped an undefeated Valley Conference season with an improbable 59-57 victory over College of the Sequoias last Saturday night in Visalia. In a game that featured 16 touchdowns, 179 plays and 1111 yards, Coach Jeff Tisdel's Wolverines overcame a three touchdown first half deficit to finish the regular season 9-1 overall, 5-0 in the rugged Valley Conference. Sierra faces NorCal Conference champion City College of San Francisco in the Hawaiian Punch Bowl in San Francisco on Dec. 1 at 1:00 p.m. The Punch Bowl winner will represent the north in the State Championship Bowl in Fresno on Dec. 8.

First half: College of the Sequoias gets early big lead

Sequoias racked up 283 yards of total offense in a first quarter that ended with the Giants in front 28-7. Coach Tisdel gathered his team together on the sideline with the Wolverines trailing 21-0 and, from that moment on, the Cardinal and White played "Wolverine football." Lamon Muldrow scored on 14-yard and one-yard runs and Scotty Enos connected on a 24-yard field goal that pulled the Wolverines to 31-17 at the half. They wouldn't be behind for much longer.

Third quarter: Sierra's offense and defense prevail

Sierra opened the third quarter with a 10-play, 55-yard drive that ended in a one-yard Muldrow run to slice the Giants lead to 31-24. Defensive Coordinator Ed Eaton's troops then took over the game. The Wolverine D forced Giant QB Arkelon Hall into interceptions on three straight series, all of which were turned into Sierra points. After Daniel Hart and Thomas Dann picks, Muldrow converted from two-yards and four-yards out for touchdowns. Enos hit a 28-yard three pointer after a Ronnie Davidson interception and Sierra was in front 39-31.

Fourth quarter: touchdowns for both but overtime averted

The teams alternated touchdowns six times from there until the Giants took over on their 15 with three minutes to go and Sierra in the lead 59-51. COS took the ball to the Sierra three and, with 43 seconds left, scored on a halfback option pass from DeAngelo Jones to Sterling James. Needing a two-point conversion to tie the game at 59 and send it into overtime, the Giants broke the huddle. A perfectly-thrown pass from Hall hit James in the numbers at the goal line and, wait, "HE DROPPED THE BALL!" Sierra recovered the ensuing onside kick and, two Kevin Will kneel-downs later, had the win.

Muldrow and Will continued their record pace

Freshman RB Lamon Muldrow continued his state-leading rushing assault with 53 carries for 258 yards and six touchdowns. Muldrow exceeded 200 yards in all five Valley Conference game. Sophomore QB Kevin Will was 20-41 for 249 yards, two TDs and two INTs, and Sophomore WR Ryan Hedberg recorded 10 catches for 151 yards and a score. Sophomore WR Carl Moore was held in check for most of the game with 5 receptions for 70 yards, but his 37-yard catch and run for a TD in the fourth quarter was electrifying and gave Sierra a 53-44 cushion.

Next game: Hawaiian Punch Bowl in San Francisco, Dec. 1

Watch here next week for a preview of the NorCal Championship game. Tickets for the Hawaiian Punch Bowl will be available at the Sierra College Bookstore and the game will be broadcast on KAHI 950am and on KAHI.com.

(These highlights courtesy of Matt Folsom, Sierra College Bookstore.)

News Flash!

The California Community Colleges Athletic Association (CCCAA), in partnership with the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) today named Lamon Muldrow (Sierra College, football) the male CCCAA Student Athlete of the Month for October.

Lamon Muldrow, a freshman running back, had the most dominant month of any skill player in the state during October. In three games during the month, Muldrow rushed for 753 yards and six touchdowns. He had a state-best performance of 286 yards and four touchdowns on Oct. 13 in a win against San Joaquin Delta. For the season, Muldrow has 252 carries for a state-best 1,430 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Sierra 44, Reedley College 27

Sierra wins Valley Conference championship!

Sierra College captured its first-ever A division football conference championship Saturday with a 44-27 win over the Reedley College Tigers before a packed Veteran's Day Celebration crowd at Homer "Buzz" Ostrom Stadium. The victory over the Tigers, coupled with Delta College's 52-17 win over Fresno City College Saturday afternoon, clinched the Valley Conference title for Coach Jeff Tisdel's Wolverines in only their second year competing in California's elite division.

First Quarter: Reedley scores first

But it didn't come easily as the Tigers, who came to Rocklin with title hopes of their own, took a 7-0 lead three minutes into the game. On Reedley's third play from scrimmage, backup QB Zach McRae hit wideout Juwain Spurlock at midfield between two Sierra defenders and, 61 yards later, the Tigers (6-3 overall, 2-2 conference) were on the board.

The Wolverines (8-1 overall, 4-0 conference) answered after the ensuing kickoff with an 11-play, 64-yard touchdown drive of their own. Freshman tailback Lamon Muldrow capped the series with a one-yard plunge and Scotty Enos' extra point tied the score.

Muldrow came into the game as the state's leading rusher with 1219 yards on 211 carries. Against Reedley, he ran for 211 yards - his fourth straight 200-yard game - on 41 carries. Reedley's defense, with eight and sometimes nine defenders in the box, was designed to contain Muldrow and force Sierra to throw the ball. Muldrow still got his yards and the Wolverines had their best passing game of the year, thanks to a career-best performance by QB Kevin Will.

Second quarter: Sierra's QB Kevin Will's 1st TD pass

After the Tigers took a 14-7 lead just before the end of the first quarter on a five-yard Keith Bellamy run, Will opened the second quarter with the first of his four touchdown passes on the afternoon, hooking up with Carl Moore on a 27-yard fade route in the corner of the end zone. Moore would end the game with 12 catches, many on crucial third downs, for 176 yards and two scores.

The Wolverine defense forced a three-and-out on the next Tiger series and, after blocking the punt, Sierra took over on Reedley five. Muldrow took it in on the next play and the Wolverines were up 21-14. The cardinal and white, however, weren't quite done as the defense held Reedley to a single yard on the next series and forced a punt. Four plays and 89 yards later, Sierra was in the end zone again on a 37-yard, fourth down Will pass to Ryan Hedberg. Hedberg grabbed the short throw out in the right flat, broke away from a defender and blazed down the sideline to put the Wolverines up 28-14. But the Tigers were not ready to be caged.

Reedley comes within a point

On the next series, McRae hit fullback Jeremy Mimms on a third-down screen pass. Mimms shed a tackle at the line of scrimmage and rumbled 51 yards down the sideline in front of the Wolverine bench to get the Tigers back in the game at 28-21. Two minutes later, McRae hushed the Wolverine faithful with a 14-yard scoring pass to Spurlock to bring Reedley to within a point. Momentum, however, immediately shifted sidelines and the Wolverine crowd came back to life as Sierra DB Randy Lee blocked the extra point and returned it 93 yards for two points. Instead of being tied, Sierra headed to the locker room up 30-27 at the half.

Third quarter: Sierra's defense cracks down

Reedley would not score again as Sierra's special teams and defense kept the Tigers on their side of the 50 for much of the second half. Wolverine punter Eric Brest had two kicks downed inside the five and DB Michael Grant came up with a big interception, his fifth of the year. But it was Kevin Will who put the game away in the second half.

After a Reedley three-and-out-and-punt to open the third quarter, Sierra took over on their ten. On the first play of the drive, Will hit Hedberg in stride at the 35. Hedberg outraced three Tiger defenders down the middle of the field for a 90-yard score,a career-long for both Will and Hedberg.

Fourth quarter: Will's 4th TD pass

Sierra put the game away midway through the fourth as Moore gathered in an 18-yard Will TD pass. Will finished the game 27-41 for 402 yards, four TDs and two picks; Hedberg ended up with nine grabs for 167 yards and two TDs. For the game, Sierra picked up 619 yards in total offense.

Next week: 7 p.m. in Visalia

The Wolverines travel to Visalia next Saturday to close out the regular season against the College of the Sequoias Giants. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard on KAHI 950 AM and on KAHI.com.

(These highlights courtesy of Matt Folsom, Sierra College Bookstore.)

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Sierra 20, Fresno City College 17

Sierra: FIRST in the Valley Conference!

The Sierra College Wolverines took over sole possession of first place in the Valley Conference with a stirring 20-17 victory over #1-ranked Fresno City College in Fresno Saturday night. Both teams came into the contest undefeated in conference play, but Sierra (7-1 overall, 3-0 conference) took advantage of a key Ram turnover and the stellar play of quarterback Kevin Will (Del Oro High School), wide receiver Carl Moore (Cordova) and running back Lamon Muldrow (Cordova) to come home with the win.

Rainy conditions: turnovers

The game opened with a steady rain falling on the Ratcliffe Stadium turf and it soon became apparent that the wet conditions would be a factor in the game. On the game's opening drive and after making three first downs, Sierra fumbled at the Ram 40. FRC defensive back Lawrence Hood scooped up the ball and returned it 60 yards for the score. Paul Rodriguez's extra point put the Rams (7-1 overall, 2-1 conference) in front 7-0.

The Wolverines fumbled again on the next series, but their defense forced a three-and-out and a Ram punt. 80 yards later, Will, who ended the night 17-26 for 215 yards and two scores, found Moore on a fade route in the back of the end zone. Scotty Enos' (Granite Bay) extra point tied the game at 7.

Halftime: Rams ahead

Fresno City opened the second quarter with an electrifying 75 touchdown run by Raymond Neal. Neal took a delayed handoff from QB Bryant Moniz, broke through the middle, scooted outside and then sprinted down the sideline for the score. The first half ended with the Rams in front 14-7.

Third quarter: Sierra gains the lead

The lead wouldn't last long. On the second play of the second half, Moniz fired a pass to receiver Sherman Lang in the left flat. The pass hit Sierra DB Wesley Lane (Marysville) between the numbers at the 20. Lane took the interception to the house and, after Enos converted the XP, the game was tied.

Sierra Defensive Coordinator Ed Eaton's unit came up big again on the Ram's next possession. Defensive back Daniel Hart (Del Oro) picked off a Moniz pass at the Wolverine 40 and returned it to the Ram 10. Three plays later, the Wolverines took the lead for good on an improbable Will to Moore touchdown pass. Defensive pressure forced Will to roll to his right and, just before going down in the arms of 335-pound Ram defensive lineman Antonio Hartwell, he lofted a pass across his body to the left in the back of the end zone. Moore, who was running a crossing pattern, broke his route and ran under the pass for the score. Enos missed the extra point and the score was 20-14, Sierra.

Paul Rodriguez hit a 27-yard field goal on the next series and the third quarter ended with the Wolverines clinging to a 20-17 lead.

Fourth quarter: defensive efforts

The tense fourth quarter opened with Sierra being forced to punt. After Ram running back Brandon Thompson broke off a big 37-yard third-down run, Sierra DB Michael Grant (Laguna Creek) picked off a Ronny Torres pass at the Wolverine 13. The Wolverines then made a big third down play of their own as Will hit Ryan Hedberg at midfield. Hedberg finished with eight catches for 124 yards, but none were bigger than this leaping fourth quarter grab. Muldrow would fumble two plays later and it would be up to the Wolverine defense to seal the victory.

The Rams went nowhere, turning the ball over on downs and Sierra ran out the clock.

Lamon Muldrow: 53 carries, 240 yards

Lost in the outstanding performance by the Wolverine defense was the heroic effort by Lamon Muldrow, who carried the ball 53 times (a 2007 state high) for 240 yards (his third straight 200+yard game). The freshman now leads the state with 211 carries for 1219 yards. Moore continued his superb play with eight catches for 86 yards and the two scores.

Home Next Saturday: Sierra vs. Reedley

Veterans Day celebration

Sierra returns home this Saturday to face the Reedley College Tigers. The Tigers find themselves a game out of first after losing 40-29 Saturday to West Hills College. Kickoff at Homer "Buzz" Ostrom stadium this Saturday is 1:00pm. The game is a Veterans Day celebration featuring the Sierra College Veteran's Club and their color guard.

(These highlights courtesy of Matt Folsom, Sierra College Bookstore.)

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Sierra 31, West Hills 6

Sierra College moved to 6-1 overall, 2-0 in the Valley Conference, with a 31-6 win Saturday over West Hills College in front of a Homecoming crowd at Homer "Buzz" Ostrom Stadium. Coach Jeff Tisdel's Wolverines overcame four turnovers thanks to some timely defense and another huge game from freshman running back Lamon Muldrow. For the second consecutive week, Muldrow carried the ball 37 times, finishing this game - he had 286 yards against Delta on 10/13 - with 227 yards and two touchdowns.

First quarter defensive

The first quarter was scoreless, thanks, in part, to Defensive Coordinator Ed Eaton's defense. After fumbling the opening kickoff for the second week in a row, the Wolverines allowed the Falcons only a single yard and no points as Kemar Scarlet missed a 30-yard field goal. Three drives later, after another Sierra fumble at the Wolverine 37, the Falcons could manage only seven yards. Bryson Littlejohn sacked Falcon QB Isaiah Barnett and Scarlet came on to attempt a 47-yard field goal. His kick was wide left and the Wolverine offense took over as the first quarter ended.

Second quarter Sierra scores 24

The Wolverine drive stalled at the Falcon eight and West Hills took over on downs. The Falcons could only push the ball to their 12 and, after Pierre Peco returned a Cody Norton punt to the West Hills 30, Scotty Enos put Sierra on the board with a 38-yard field goal. West Hills was forced to punt on the ensuing drive and the Wolverine offense shifted into gear. Sierra QB Kevin Will hit Carl Moore with a 40-yard bomb to the Falcon four and, two plays later, Lamon Muldrow scored on a one-yard dive.

Two plays later, the Wolverine defense gave Sierra a 17-0 lead. New Falcon QB, Jayson Tyler, escaped the pursuing Julian Smith and tried to hit Chaphan Johnson on the right flat. Sierra DB Michael Grant intercepted the pass and took it to the house for six.

West Hills mounts a drive

West Hills then tried to get back in the game by mounting their most impressive drive of the first half. Starting at their own 20, the Falcons took 7:26 to get the ball down to the Sierra three. The Wolverine defense stiffened as DB Daniel Hart dropped Falcon RB Giavanni Ruffin for a four-yard loss and then knocked down a Jayson Tyler pass in the end zone. Kemar Scarlet's third field goal attempt of the game was blocked and the score remained 17-0.

The Wolverines took over on their five and on the first play of the drive, Lamon Muldrow blasted through a small hole on the right side of the offensive line and took the ball 81 yards to the Falcon 14. Four plays later, Kevin Will hit Carl Moore from three yards out. Enos third extra point of the game made it 24-0 as the first half ended.

Second half

Sierra failed to score in the third quarter, with Enos missing a 29-yard field goal attempt in the Wolverine's lone scoring opportunity. Sierra linebacker Chris Briasco halted a 14-play, 72-yard Falcon drive with an interseption at the Wolverine five. After Eric Brest's 34-yard punt, the Falcons got on the scoreboard with a 90-yard Giavanni Ruffin touchdown gallop. Scarlet missed the extra point and the third quarter ended 24-6.

Fourth quarter defense stops West Hills

The fourth quarter opened with two game-saving Sierra defensive stops as the Falcons went for it on fourth down on consecutive drives in Wolverine territory. Sierra closed out the scoring with a 13-play, 60-yard drive that ended with a four-yard Muldrow touchdown run to make it 31-6.

Next weekend in Fresno

The Wolverines travel to Fresno next Saturday for a battle of conference unbeatens against the Fresno City College Rams. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m.

Games on the radio and the internet

Fans can hear all Sierra football games, home and away, on KAHI 950 (AM) and KAHI.com.

(These highlights courtesy of Matt Folsom, Sierra College Bookstore.)

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Sierra 48, Delta College 23

With a convincing 48-23 win over Delta College in Stockton last Saturday, the Wolverines moved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the Valley Conference. Freshman running back Lamon Muldrow (Cordova High School) led an unstoppable Sierra offense with 286 rushing yards and four TD's on 37 carries. Muldrow's yardage is a 2007 state single-game high, while his 37 carries is the second highest total in California this year.

Sierra jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on a 14 yard Kevin Will (Del Oro) to Carl Moore (Cordova) TD pass, but Delta answered with 26-yard scoring run by Montrel Richardson. The game then turned into the Lamon Muldrow show.

Muldrow scored on a one-yard dive after rumbling for a 45-yard run that left Delta defenders sprawled on the turf. On the next series, he broke free for a 35-yard scamper and then capped off the drive with a four-yard score around the left end. Muldrow ended the opening quarter with 118 rushing yards.

Second Quarter

The Wolverines broke open the game in the second quarter thanks to Muldrow and the Wolverine defense. After Scotty Enos (Granite Bay) connected on a 42-yard field goal and Delta's Chris Diniz hit his own 20 yarder, Muldrow took the Wolverines down the field, finally scoring from 15 yards out to put Sierra in front 31-10. On the ensuing series, Wolverine linebacker Chris Briasco (Colfax) intercepted an Andrew Beam pass and returned it 56 yards to the Mustang 9. Will passed to Jared Dixon (Highlands) on the next play for a score that made it 38-10. Delta closed out the first half with a 9-yard Andrew Beam touchdown run to make it 38-17 at the break.

Second Half

Muldrow punched in another short-yardage score and Enos hit from 39 yards out in the third to complete the Wolverine scoring. Beam hit Garrett Andrews on an 11-yard strike in the fourth quarter for the final Mustang points.

Next Saturday

The Wolverines look for their second Valley Conference win this Saturday as they host West Hills College. Kickoff is 1:00pm at Homer "Buzz" Ostrom Stadium.

(These highlights courtesy of Matt Folsom, Sierra College Bookstore.)