|
Dons Comeback Leads to Win in 2-OTs over Palomar
SANTA ANA, CA - After trailing 31-21 going into the fourth quarter, the Santa Ana College (SAC) football team capped off its dramatic comeback in double overtime to defeat visiting Palomar College 52-45.
Palomar (3-1) scored on the first possession of the game on an 11-play drive that went for 62-yards, capped off by a two-yard touchdown run by Chad Dobbins.
The Dons (2-2) answered on their next possession with a 12-play, 73-yard drive to tie the game at 7-7. Andrew McDonald scored the touchdown for the Dons on a one-yard run.
Keeping the pace of the game flowing, Palomar retook the lead at 14-7 on its next possession with another long drive. The Comets drove 65-yards on eight plays with their score coming on a 24-yard touchdown pass from David Fisher to Alex Wheat.
The Dons answered once again with a nine-play, 67-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown rush by Terrance Holzendorf on the first play of the second quarter to tie the game at 14-14.
Three minutes later, Palomar kicked a 40-yard field goal by Cameron Mercado to take a 17-14 lead before both offenses finally stalled on a series of drives.
It was Palomar that finally got rolling again with a quick four-play, 56-yard drive near the end of the half. The Comets ended the drive with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Fisher to Wheat to take a 24-14 lead into the half.
Davion Orphey cut into the Comets lead five minutes into the second half with a two-yard rushing touchdown. However, Palomar went back up by 10 at 31-21 when Michael Taele returned the ensuing kickoff 82-yards for a touchdown.
Neither team scored again until the opening minutes of the fourth quarter when Dillan Freiberg hit a 27-yard field goal to pull the Dons within seven at 31-24.
The Comets, however, had another answer when they drove 86-yards on 15 plays capped off with a three-yard rushing touchdown by Taele to establish their largest lead of the game at 38-24 with 6:24 left in the game.
After that touchdown, however, it was all Santa Ana. The Dons pulled within a touchdown with 4:39 left in the game on a six-yard touchdown catch by Joshua Webb. The pass was originally intended for John Evangelista but was deflected off Amos to Webb.
The Dons defense answered on the next drive, holding Palomar to a three-and-out and forcing a punt. The Dons regained possession on their own eight-yard line with 3:01 remaining.
What ensued was a 12-play drive that went 92 yards ending with a two-yard touchdown reception by Ario Winston to tie the game at 38-38 with 14 seconds left in the game.
Palomar had one last chance at a game-winning field goal after a short kickoff and a quick reception. However, the Comets missed wide left on a 40-yard field goal attempt, sending the game into overtime.
After Palomar scored on its possession in overtime, the Dons were forced to cover more ground after a penalty. Four plays after converting on fourth down, Webb once again found himself the recipient of a touchdown catch after the pass deflected off of Evangelista, sending the game to a second overtime.
The Dons didn't waste any time as they scored on their first play of the second overtime period, a 25-yard touchdown reception by Jacob Smith from McDonald.
The defense sealed the victory for the Dons as they stopped the Comets on four-straight plays to end the game.
McDonald finished the game 33-for-51 passing for 261 yards and five touchdowns. His 33 completions is a SAC record while five touchdowns ties the SAC record. A record that he already shares with four other quarterbacks. He also rushed for a touchdown.
NEXT: Long Beach at Santa Ana, Saturday, October 1 at 1:00 p.m. |
