With 1:03 left in the game, down by two points and a chance to put the game into overtime, the Warriors had no choice but to go for a two-point conversion at the end of the fourth quarter last Saturday against the Riverside Tigers at Wheelock Field.
EC had been kicked around in the entire first half, but came back from a 24-3 deficit in the third and fourth quarters. Late in the fourth quarter, the Warriors drove 80 yards down the field to score a touchdown to make the score 22-24.
All their efforts would be for naught if they didn’t go for broke. Quarterback Jimmy Coy, under tremendous pressure, completed a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Dejarrius Adams, who was under double coverage, to tie the game with a two point conversion.
“We faked the slant fade and got the cornerback to bite enough and (Adams) was able to fade outside, get on top of the guy, and catch it for the two point conversion,” coach John Featherstone said.
EC went on to win with a field goal by Brian Blumberg from the 35-yard line for a 27-24 victory.
The game was up for grabs until that point. The Tiger’s also had a chance in overtime to tie the game, but Albert Jiminez’s field goal try was wide right from 38 yards out.
“We were down three touchdowns and we had to battle back, fight and scratch and claw our way back into the game in the third and fourth quarters,” Featherstone said. “That’s a sign of a team that’s got true grit, I can tell you that.”
The Warriors are now the nation’s No. 3 ranked team after a five-game winning streak. The win against Riverside was their first conference victory.
EC had a weak rushing game, gaining only 77 net yards to the Tiger’s 214. Going to the air for 324 yards redeemed that deficit and, in addition, Coy completed 21 of 37 passes. He threw for two touchdowns and ran the ball for another touchdown.
“Our defense played really well, just kept us in it really. We can’t keep doing that and we’ve got to pick it up in the beginning of the game,” Coy said.
The Warrior’s are 5-0 and are ready to play their second conference game after the last two exciting matchups with Riverside and Bakersfield.
“We have a real shot to do something really good now; win a conference championship and hopefully getting into the playoffs and make a run,” Coy said.
Daniel Stewart, defensive lineman, was a player of the game, recording 10 tackles and two quarterback sacks.
“(Featherstone) was telling us great teams are always put in these type of games and we thought about it and had a different mind set in the second half,” Stewart said. “I knew we were down twenty-four to three, but we were not down for the count.”
EC will host its home conference opener against the Chaffey Panthers Saturday. Chaffey is going into the game against with a 4-1 record. The Panthers have scored most of their touchdowns this season in the third quarter, and, similar to EC, have been making comebacks in the second half.
“We won our first conference game, beating Riverside puts us 1-0 in divisional play,” Featherstone said.
“The nice thing is we have three of the next five games at home. We haven’t been back home in three weeks.”
