By Mike Meraz
Narrowly missing a pile-up, Running Back Marcus Clarke leaps over his teammates as well as his opposing team, only to be tackled soon after his landing during a football game against Cerritos College. (Katrina Manio)
By Mike Meraz
A short term memory is a characteristic all good football players must possess, that or the ability to take a hit that causes memory loss.
Sophomore running back Jamaal Scott forgot early mistakes to score on a 15 yard run in overtime, which led the Tigers over the visiting Cerritos Falcons 22-16 at Wheelock Stadium on October 20.
Scott had two costly fumbles in the first half, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
“I thought about it for a little in the first half. I would have blamed myself if we lost.” said Scott.
“I wasn’t thinking about it in the fourth though. I knew we had to score and win in overtime.”
After a tough loss the previous week to Saddleback College, the victory moves the Tigers to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in division play.
“It feels good not to go 0-2 in the division” said Scott.
One of the key players to the Tigers success was placekicker Johan Cripin. Cripin connected on a 26 yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
He also hit kicks of 21 and 44 yards throughout the game, and missed a long 49 yard kick that came up just short.
Late in the fourth quarter with the score 13-16, quarterback Coy Glass connected with Scott on a critical fourth and 5 for a 39 yard gain, which set the table for placekicker Cripin.
Glass had a decent outing going 15-29 for 239 yards with one costly interception.
The pick by the Falcons seemed like it would ice the game, but the tough defense, led by sophomore Travis Buchanon, didn’t let the mistake turn into points.
The strong defense of the Tigers kept the game close throughout, allowing only nine points for the game and blocking a field goal in the first half.
In the overtime period, Falcon’s quarterback A.J. Toscano was sacked twice by Buchanon, which forced a turnover on downs.
“I credit this entire victory to our defense” said Scott. “We wouldn’t have won if it wasn’t for them”
Scott, who injured his foot on a play in the 2nd quarter, racked up 25 yards in overtime to seal the victory for the Tigers. He finished the game with 124 yards rushing, including a 7 yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
“Hopefully I can be ready to go next week. I’ll see how I feel” he said. “But I would rather have won and got hurt, then to lose and be OK.”
