DUBLIN, CA- Monte Vista captured the NCS Division I title with a 42-18 comeback win over Antioch, rattling off the final 28 points of the game in a dominant, resilient second half effort.
“I liked the way we came out in the second half,” said Monte Vista head coach Craig Bergman. “We really simplified things and came out and ran the football.”
“We came together and we kept battling, and when things weren’t going our way we stuck with it,” said quarterback Jake Haener. “I’m proud of the guys for getting it done.”
With the Mustangs clinging to a 21-18 lead near the end of the third quarter, Antioch running back Najee Harris fumbled the football at his own 25-yard line. Defensive lineman Dylan Lawlor came up with the recovery and Monte Vista never looked back, completely overwhelming the Panthers on both sides of the ball the rest of the way.
The Antioch defense simply had no answer for Mustang running back Shane Perry, who rushed for 253 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries to pace the offense. Time and time again, he punished the Panthers with long, powerful runs and outstanding second efforts.
“He went off all night, carried the team, and I couldn’t be more proud of him,” said Haener.
“Shane [Perry] and our offensive line really did a fantastic job,” said Bergman.
Harris put forth an exceptional effort himself, running for 177 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
After a 38-yard field goal by Abraham Torres midway through the third quarter gave them a four point advantage, Antioch was seemingly in control of the contest, having forced three consecutive three-and-out’s on defense. Everything went downhill from there, as the offense started to stall and Monte Vista began to find their rhythm.
Just before Harris’ crucial fumble, Monte Vista wide receiver Zane Cribb found himself wide open down the far sideline for an easy 44-yard touchdown catch. Immediately following the turnover, the Mustangs took their biggest lead of the night, 28-18, on a 19-yard touchdown run by Perry.
The Monte Vista defense held strong for the remainder of the contest, grabbing an interception and forcing Antioch to turn the ball over on downs twice. Linebacker Nate Landman came up with a handful of huge tackles behind the line of scrimmage on critical short yardage situations.
Meanwhile, the Mustangs added on an additional 14 points in the fourth quarter on three-yard touchdown runs by Haener and Perry to make it 42-18.
Things got off to a rocky start for Antioch, as defensive back Chase Davis recorded an interception for the Mustangs on the first play from scrimmage. Monte Vista drew first blood on a three-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Isaiah Randle, less than four minutes into the game.
Antioch stormed back in the second quarter, utilizing big plays to carry a 15-14 lead into the locker room at halftime. Following a fumble recovery with nine minutes to go in the period, Harris burst down the sideline for 37-yard touchdown run, shredding multiple tackles along the way and emphatically diving his outstretched body towards the pylon. With 70 seconds left before the half, wide receiver Issac Freytes hauled in a 20-yard touchdown catch to give Antioch all the momentum heading into the break.
Overall, the Antioch passing attack proved very effective at times and ultimately kept them in the game, as quarterback Willem Karnthong threw for 240 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers got impressive contributions from their receiving corps, as the likes of Isaiah Dunn and Antoine Tanner totaled 55 and 67 yards through the air. In addition, Jamir Wilson made a highlight reel play with a sensational one-handed, leaping grab in the second quarter.
The Panthers limited the high powered Monte Vista passing attack to just 79 yards, as Haener finished 8-of-21 with a touchdown and an interception.
Overall, it was an unforgettable season for the Mustangs, as they excelled in every facet of the game and finished with an outstanding 12-1 record.
“It’s amazing and it really hasn’t even hit me yet,” said Cribb.
“It’s been a great season and these are great kids,” said Bergman.
