SARATOGA, Calif. - With starting quarterback Jacob Sneed out due to injury in the fourth quarter, Prospect handed the reins at quarterback over to senior receiver Temo Daza. Regardless of who was under center, however, there was one target which shined brighter than any other, and at the end of the night, Conor Messier made sure that the Panthers would emerge victorious, hauling in the game-winning 21-yard touchdown pass in Prospect's 21-14 win over San Jose to open BVAL-West Valley action for both schools.
Messier finished the game with six catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including the final touchdown of the night and another one-handed grab along the left sideline, both of which left spectators in awe.
"Those are two of the best catches I have ever seen in this game," said Prospect coach Michael Cable.
As impressive as his one-handed grab on the sideline was, the game-winning score might have been the better grab. With a San Jose defender facing him in tight coverage at the goal-line, Messier was able to get one hand around the defender and snag the ball behind the defender's back. It was the only pass completion of the night for Daza, who had five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown earlier in the game with Sneed at quarterback.
Sneed threw for 248 yards and two scores, but had to leave the game while the score was tied in the fourth quarter. Daza promptly drove the Panthers down the field, scrambling four different times, for a total of 30 yards, before hitting Messier with the game-winning throw.
"It feels great to get our first win of the season," Cable said. "These guys have been working extremely hard."
Messier's big night also included an interception and fumble recovery on defense, while junior Chad Howle was a standout on both sides of the ball, notching a team-high 10 tackles at linebacker while also carrying the ball 14 times for 34 yards. The Prospect defense forced four turnovers in the win, while protecting the ball offensively.
Prospect improves to 1-3 overall, 1-0 in league play with the win, and will face James Lick this coming Friday. San Jose falls to 0-4, 0-1, and will host Mt. Pleasant this week.
