PLEASANT HILL, CA --- The last time College Park started the season 3-0, half of the players on the roster were still learning how to add and subtract. 10 years later, the Falcons defeated Concord, 22-20, behind three second half touchdowns by Eli Dempsey.
After going scoreless in the first half and trailing 12-0, Dempsey put the Falcons on the board in the third quarter. His first touchdown came on a 33-yard draw down the middle of the field. His second one was set up by his teammate Tre Smith after a 37 yard punt return. One play later, Dempsey took it to the house on a 48-yard touchdown.
“He is definitely an impact player that makes thing happen for us,” College Park co-head coach Joe Bautista said.
Concord continued to battle, as quarterback Bailey Trotter hit Darian Smith right on the money for a nine-yard touchdown, giving the Minutemen back the lead, at 20-14.
With less than three minutes left on the clock, Dempsey broke away for a 28-yard touchdown that sent the stadium into a frenzy. The senior ended the night with 224 total yards.
“Man, I felt too happy and excited out there,” Dempsey said. “I gotta give a shout-out to my O-Line, they were out there for me the whole game.”
Derek Clements was on the 2007 team that went 3-0. Now, he's once again part of another 3-0 team, but this time as a co-head coach.
“It's a big victory for these kids because they worked really hard for this.” Clements added.
Concord ended the first half on an Austin Williams five-yard rushing touchdown, the first score of the game for either team. Williams struck again in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run, and Concord looked in control at that point. But College Park's rally not only sent the Minutemen to their first 0-2 start in six years, it also snapped a three-game winning streak against College Park.
“They're 1-0 against us. Nothing that happened before is any of my concern,” Concord head coach Paul Reynaud said. “It shows us what we have to work on."
College Park had the ability to strike early in the second quarter. After a 79-yard drive, the Falcons were set up at the Minutemen one-yard line. However, a botched snap by the center resulted in a turnover and a missed golden opportunity.
Defensively, Luis Navarro was a key factor for the Falcons, as the linebacker recorded five tackles despite playing the entire game with an injury.
College Park looks to improve to 4-0 as hit the road to face Newark Memorial on Friday, Sept. 15 at 7 pm. Concord will also be on the road, as they will face Liberty on the same date and time.
