GROSSMONT 31, VICTOR VALLEY 28
EastCountySports.com
VICTORVILLE — Grossmont College’s revival season continued Saturday night with a 31-28 road win over Victor Valley, as the Griffins survived a late rally to improve to 4-1 on the year.
A year removed from a 1-9 campaign, Grossmont has matched its best five-game start in over a decade, setting up next week’s American Pacific League opener against fellow 4-1 West Los Angeles.
Though the Griffins’ schedule has been more favorable than last fall, the turnaround has been fueled by a resurgent offense and the steady hand of sophomore quarterback Melvin Spicer IV.
Spicer threw for 345 yards on 33-of-48 passing with three touchdowns, extending his SCFA-leading totals to 1,503 yards and 15 TD passes this season. He distributed the ball effectively, with Ayden Billups catching 11 passes for 151 yards and Elijah Realzola scoring twice among his nine receptions for 79 yards.
Running back Myles Norman also powered the offense with 152 rushing yards on 22 carries, highlighted by a 66-yard burst. Norman added six catches out of the backfield for another 39 yards.
Grossmont built a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter on a pair of Spicer touchdown passes and a Tyler Haley 37-yard field goal.
But Victor Valley refused to fold, rallying behind quarterbacks Seth Burbine and Tremel Echols, who combined for 301 passing yards and three scores.
The Rams closed the gap to 24-21 in the third quarter before Spicer engineered a 12-play, 66-yard drive capped by Darick Dubose Jr.’s short touchdown run to extend the Griffins’ lead back to 10.
Victor Valley scored again late, but Grossmont’s defense — keyed by 10 tackles from Adrien Chargualaf and interceptions from Jaiden Vaquera and Gatchang Gatchang — sealed the victory.
The Griffins finished with 540 total yards to Victor Valley’s 408 and controlled the ball with long, sustained drives.
Grossmont’s 4-1 mark has already guaranteed its best season since 2016, and league play now looms. Next Saturday, the Griffins travel to face West Los Angeles in a pivotal matchup that will begin to define their standing in the APL race.
Around the county
Southwestern 38, San Diego Mesa 31 (OT)
Southwestern College moved to 5-0 with a thrilling overtime win at Mesa, surviving five turnovers to escape with its perfect record intact.
Brayten Silbor passed for 311 yards, connecting often with Clint Thomas Jr., who had a career night with 194 yards receiving.
Running back Caleb Blocker added 164 rushing yards as the Jaguars piled up 561 yards of offense.
Mesa (2-3) stayed close thanks to quarterback Reggie Johnson (175 passing yards) and wideout Jay Porter (68 yards receiving), but the Olympians couldn’t overcome the Jags’ balanced attack in the extra session.
#13 Riverside 62, Palomar 49
Riverside City College unleashed its most prolific offensive performance in over a decade, outlasting Palomar in a 62-49 shootout. The Tigers rolled up 819 total yards, their highest single-game total since 2013, to improve to 3-2.
Freshman quarterback Bryan Wilson threw for 412 yards and five touchdowns while also running for a score. Kayvion Sibley rushed for 204 yards and two TDs, and Dominic Cox had 14 catches for 232 yards and four touchdowns.
Palomar (1-4) kept pace behind quarterback Jakob Harris, who threw for 380 yards and two scores while adding a rushing TD.
Wideout Furious Hoskins torched the Tigers’ secondary for 291 yards receiving. But Riverside’s relentless offensive pace proved too much, handing the Comets their second straight league loss.
