WALNUT – For the second season in a row, Golden West College and Mt. San Antonio College battled in the regular-season finale for the National Central League championship as well as an automatic berth into the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs.
Unlike last year when the Rustlers fell behind early, GWC actually held multiple leads in the tonight's game, including in the fourth quarter. But the state's top-ranked Mounties rallied for 10 points over the final five minutes of the game to hand No. 4 Golden West a 34-27 loss at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.
The Rustlers ended the regular season with an 8-2 overall and went 6-1 in the Central League to finish in second place. Despite tonight's outcome, Golden West still has a shot at receiving the at-large bid into the four-team regional playoffs or would be a lock to host a postseason bowl game.
The Mounties' perfect regular-season record was in doubt as the Rustlers set the tone early in the contest. On its first offensive play of the game, Mt. SAC running back Devin Miles fumbled the ball away at his own 48-yard line. Three plays later, Kendric Thomas broke free for a big 33-yard touchdown to give Golden West a quick 7-0 lead at the 13:38 mark in the first quarter.
The Rustlers built up a 21-3 advantage in the second quarter thanks to a 5-yard TD reception from Will Burns to Colin Payne, and a 24-yard run for a TD by Burns with 9:22 on the clock.
But Mt. SAC responded with 21 unanswered points. An 11-yard touchdown pass from Noah Fuailetolo to De'Shon Thompson gave the Mounties their first lead, 24-21, with 8:04 to go in the third quarter.
The Rustlers grinded out a pair of long drives but had to settle for field goals on both. Fernando Mancilla nailed kicks from 37 and 31 yards to put GWC back out in front 27-24 with 8:59 left in the game.
But that was it for Golden West. Mt. SAC came down on the ensuing drive to get a 32-yard field goal to tie it and eventually scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:14 to play.
Burns had one final chance and was able to drive the ball into Mt. SAC territory. But a penalty and eventual interception with 6 seconds remaining ended any chance of a comeback for the Rustlers.
Burns completed 24 of 40 passes for 216 yards with a touchdown and interception. He also ran the ball 13 times for 67 yards and a TD. Payne led receivers with 8 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Andrew Jordan had a big game on defense for the Rustlers. He totaled 9 tackles and 2.5 sacks while Christian Petero was just as impressive with 9 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Golden West will learn its postseason fate on Monday (Nov. 18) when playoff pairings and bowl games will be announced by the 3C2A.
