Key Defensive Plays Help Football Get By Chaffey, 21-19

Pasadena City College's football team twice thrwarted conversion attempts by Chaffey, then shut down the Panthers on a fourth-and-two in PCC territory in the final minute to pull out a 21-19 victory before a large crowd at Robinson Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Lancers stay undefeated at 4-0 and stopped Chaffey's 4-game winning streak. The two teams met in last year's SCFA American Division Championship Bowl with Chaffey winning 16-12 and both could be the opponents again in this season's title game. 

PCC won v. Chaffey for the first time since 1952* as it still trails the all-time series 8-7.

With Chaffey at the PCC 29-yard line and a minute remaining, the Panthers chose to go for it rather than try a potential 46-yard field goal attempt. Panthers running back Christian (CJ) Bozeman twisted to get through a tackle, but PCC safety Kimbom Aseh hauled him down short of the first down marker.

Leading 21-7, Chaffey quarterback Julian Viramontes connected with Corey Cabriales for a 54-yard touchdown pass with less than three minutes left in the third quarter. The ensuing extra point kick by Anthony Hagan was blocked by PCC defensive end Izzy Duncan and kept the score at 21-13. 

Chaffey then cut the Lancers lead to two on a 4th-and-goal, 1-yard TD run by Bozeman with 5:27 left in the contest. Viramontes nearly tied it, but receiver Nehemiah Harrison couldn't hold on to the 2-point conversion pass as Elijah Lewis broke up the throw. 

The Lancers opened a 7-0 lead on the team's first play from scrimmage as Flip Fox took a short pass from quarterback Kaden Taylor and busted loose for a 76-yard touchdown. Tied 7-7 at halftime, Devin Muniz took in a 6-yard TD throw by Taylor for a 14-7 PCC lead just three minutes into the third quarter. 

With 5:23 left in the quarter, Taylor called his own number and scampered for a 4-yard TD run. The 7-play, 80-yard drive was highlighted by a 53-yard carry by running back Micah Mendoza. Ozlo Rigby's second extra point kick made it 21-7.

Overall, Mendoza rushed for 141 yards in 21 carries, Fox caught five passes for 110 yards, and Taylor completed 13 of 20 passes for 176 yards and two TDs.

On defense, Kyden Bailey was outstanding with a game-high 13 tackles, Torriq Brumfield made 10 tackles (two for loss) and had a QB hurry, and Jachai Pulley totaled seven tackles and broke up a pass.

PCC takes its bye week before returning to play on Oct. 19 in the team's American Pacific League opener at Santa Monica College in a 1 p.m. kickoff.

PCC GRID NOTES: After four games, Mendoza is fifth in the state and leads all American Pacific League players in rushing yards per game at 109.3...Mendoza is eighth (122) and Fox (119.5, two touchdown returns ) 11th in the SCFA in all-purpose yards average...Bailey leads the team in overall tackles with 30...Idrique Carmichael, last year's league Defensive MVP, has three pass break-ups and an interception..Brumfield has three quarterback hurries and is second in tackles with 23..The Lancers, ranked #25 in the state, are one of five undefeated teams in the state joining Butte (5-0), De Anza (5-0), Mt. San Antonio (4-0), and Monterey Peninsula (4-0).

*--In 1997, the Lancers forfeited a 36-33 win over Chaffey due to an ineligible player.