Griffins have proud display in finale win
- Updated: November 4, 2017
2017 GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL
GRIFFINS 36, GOLDEN WEST 34
EastCountySports.com staff report
EL CAJON – The Golden West Rustlers seemed to have things under control going into the fourth quarter against the host Grossmont Griffins Saturday afternoon.
But when all heck broke loose in the fourth quarter, the visitors couldn’t stop the Griffs’ wild momentum as Grossmont turned a 20-10 third-quarter deficit into a wild 36-34 victory as GC welcomed potential future athletes to the program during its home finale.
Steady as-they-go NELS HALTOM knocked home his third field goal of the game with a minute remaining, lifting the Griffins to the come-from-behind win.
Grossmont’s LANE SELF picked off a pass and returned in 62 yards to give Grossmont its first lead 33-27 with 2:43 to go in the game.
However, the point-after try by the Griffins’ one-point specialist failed.
That was all the room the Rustlers needed, taking their two-minute drive down the field in just a minute-and-a-half to tie the game. Their boot was true and GWC led by 1.
However, Grossmont sophomore quarterback BRAD CAGLE is sure to go down slinging.
Aided by a pair of 15-yard penalties, Cagle completed a 32-yard pass to MYLIK STEEN down to the GWC 6.
The Griffins got down to the 3 before they called on their perfect kicker this season.
Haltom earlier had FGs of 20 and 30 yards.
Golden West had the Griffins in the doldrums with a 20-3 lead following a touchdown a couple of minutes into the third quarter.
Grossmont showed its poise with a pair of 9-play TD drives that were nearly the length of the field
However, Cagle hit SAM STEPHENS with a 7-yard touchdown to cap a 90-yard march, then JEROME JOHNSON rushed in for a 1-yard score 1:30 into the fourth as part of an 80-yard drive, giving the Griffins plenty of life.
After the Rustlers kept the pressure on with their own impressive 12-play TD drive, Grossmont answered even quicker.
Grossmont went 58 yards in five plays as Cagle and Stephens teamed up again, this time from 10 yards out to keep the Griffins within 27-24.
Cagle had the last say with his 368-yard day, although Rustlers’ star Joe Pyle piled up 485 passing yards against the Grossmont defense.
Steen has a wonderful day with 203 receiving yards on seven catches, including a 62-yard hook up with Cagle.
LUQMAN BARCOO also had an interception for Grossmont (4-5, 2-2), which finishes the season next Saturday against Palomar College at Escondido High.
ERNIE GARCIA and LOGAN BAKER had sacks for the Griffs, while teammates TRISTAN LOPEZ and TERRANCE WARD recovered fumbles.
Lopez also turned in a big play when Grossmont forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff following Stephens’ second touchdown of the game.
Garcia led with 13 tackles for Grossmont, while TYLER SEPULVEDA had five stops.
