Jaguars survive Mesa in triple OT classic

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 26, 2026

2026 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No. 8 SOUTHWESTERN 44, No. 4 SAN DIEGO MESA 42 (3 OT)

Southwestern converts in third OT, denies Mesa’s answer to remain unbeaten after both teams survive numerous opportunities to win—and lose—game

By RAMON SCOTT
EastCountySports.com

CHULA VISTA — The game of the year in San Diego County became one of its best community college games in years.

It was explosive without always being polished, dramatic without following any sensible script and still undecided after both teams were presented with multiple opportunities to end it.

In the third overtime, Southwestern finally converted its mandatory two-point attempt. Then the Jaguars denied San Diego Mesa’s answering pass, preserving a 44-42 victory Saturday at DeVore Stadium.

Southwestern improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the National Southern League, retaining the mythical “Kings of the County” distinction former Jaguars coach Ed Carberry attached to this rivalry.

Mesa fell to 4-1 and 1-1, but hardly surrendered its claim quietly.

The state-ranked county rivals combined for 915 yards, 12 touchdowns and six lead changes or ties. They remained even through regulation, traded touchdowns and extra points in the first overtime, squandered opportunities in the second and required the alternating two-point format to decide it in the third.

Southwestern quarterback Dominic Duran threw three touchdown passes without an interception. Running back Caleb Blocker rushed for 114 yards. The Jaguars generated 213 yards on the ground and intercepted Mesa quarterback Diesel Taylor three times.

Taylor countered with one of the season’s most remarkable individual performances, passing for 333 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for three more scores.

Those six touchdowns nearly outweighed his three interceptions.

Nearly.

Valentino Wedderburn intercepted Taylor twice, returning one 55 yards for a touchdown, and Braxton Scott added another interception as Southwestern repeatedly answered Mesa’s explosive offense with game-altering defense.

The Jaguars never led until the fourth quarter and never separated by more than seven points.

They merely kept answering until Mesa finally could not.

THREE OVERTIMES TO SETTLE IT

Regulation ended 35-35 after both teams missed chances to win during the final minutes.

Southwestern received the first possession of overtime and required only one play. Duran found Malachi Bean-Seay for a 25-yard touchdown, and Daniel Meadows added the extra point.

Mesa answered more methodically. Taylor eventually connected with Braxton Sherley for a two-yard touchdown, and Robert Petrich converted his sixth extra point to extend the game.

The second overtime produced no points.

Mesa lost seven yards during its possession before missing a long field-goal attempt. Southwestern then appeared positioned to capitalize, but Blocker fumbled when it looked like he could’ve slipped outide and into the end zone, but the Olympians recovered.

The third overtime eliminated conventional possessions and moved directly to alternating two-point plays.

Southwestern converted.

Mesa did not.

Taylor’s final pass fell incomplete, ending a game in which neither team had managed to create lasting separation.

The Jaguars’ celebration reflected both the importance of the rivalry and the relief of surviving it.

Southwestern had earned the county crown—but Mesa had made the Jaguars exhaust every possible route to claim it.

MESA STRIKES FIRST—AND FAST

Mesa required only seven seconds to open the scoring.

On the Olympians’ first offensive snap, Taylor connected with Sherley for a 59-yard touchdown, immediately demonstrating why Mesa entered with California’s most explosive passing attack.

Southwestern did not score during the first quarter, punting on each of its first four possessions. One drive began at its own 1-yard line and consumed more than five minutes, but stalled after reaching the 33.

Mesa led only 7-0, although the Olympians appeared to have established the game’s early rhythm.

Then Southwestern’s defense changed it.

Taylor entered the afternoon having thrown 12 touchdown passes without an interception. That streak ended early in the second quarter when Wedderburn stepped in front of a pass at the Southwestern 45 and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown.

Meadows’ extra point tied the score 7-7.

It was the first of three interceptions Taylor would throw—and the first indication that Southwestern could withstand Mesa’s quick-strike offense even when its own offense stalled.

ANSWER AFTER ANSWER

The final 10 minutes of the second quarter established the game’s pattern.

Mesa responded to Wedderburn’s interception return with a nine-play, 77-yard drive. Taylor completed the possession with a one-yard touchdown run, restoring the Olympians’ seven-point advantage.

Southwestern needed only 15 seconds to answer.

Duran found Bean-Seay for a 30-yard touchdown, completing a two-play, 57-yard response that tied the game at 14-14.

Mesa countered with another sustained drive, traveling 75 yards in nine plays. Taylor’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Sherley gave the Olympians a 21-14 lead with 2:53 remaining before halftime.

Again, Southwestern responded.

Duran directed an eight-play, 63-yard drive in only 1:22 and found Bobby Cameron for a one-yard touchdown with six seconds remaining.

The teams entered halftime tied 21-21.

Mesa held a 238-194 advantage in total offense, but Southwestern had survived the Olympians’ explosive plays and converted Taylor’s first mistake into seven points.

Neither side had seized control.

That would remain true for the rest of the afternoon.

TAYLOR SCORES SIX

Taylor continued attacking after halftime.

Mesa opened its second possession of the third quarter with a 69-yard march. Taylor completed it with a nine-yard touchdown run, giving the Olympians their fourth seven-point lead.

Southwestern again answered, although this response required eight plays and 72 yards. Elias Johnson scored on a 13-yard run, pulling the Jaguars even at 28 with 1:56 remaining in the third.

The Jaguars then produced their first lead.

Scott intercepted Taylor and returned the ball 34 yards, giving Southwestern possession near midfield. Six plays later, Jamar Johnson scored from two yards to put the Jaguars ahead 35-28 with 13:31 left in regulation.

Mesa did not flinch.

Taylor led an 11-play, 70-yard drive and scored his third rushing touchdown on a 10-yard run. Petrich’s extra point tied the game 35-35 with 9:26 remaining.

Taylor finished with three touchdown passes and three rushing scores. Sherley caught four passes for 91 yards and accounted for all three of Taylor’s passing touchdowns.

Jayden Chanel led Mesa with eight receptions for 110 yards, while Colin McCann caught six passes for 63 yards.

Taylor’s production was extraordinary.

Southwestern’s defense made certain it was not decisive.

REGULATION REFUSES TO END

Both teams had opportunities to avoid overtime.

Southwestern responded to Mesa’s tying touchdown with a 14-play, 67-yard drive that consumed 7:33. The Jaguars reached scoring range but came away empty when Meadows missed a field-goal attempt.

Mesa took possession with 1:53 remaining and advanced 31 yards before Wedderburn intercepted Taylor again.

That gave Southwestern the ball at the Mesa 27 with 30 seconds remaining—excellent position for a potential winning score.

The Jaguars gained only five yards before Meadows missed again as regulation expired.

The two kickers who had combined to convert every extra point could not finish the game from the field.

Overtime awaited.

WEDDERBURN CHANGES THE GAME TWICE

Wedderburn’s first interception gave Southwestern its first points.

His second gave the Jaguars a chance to win in regulation.

The sophomore defensive back finished with two interceptions and 60 return yards, accounting for two-thirds of Taylor’s turnovers and supplying the only non-offensive touchdown of the game.

His 55-yard return was particularly important because Southwestern’s offense had not scored across its first four possessions.

Without it, Mesa could have carried an early two-score advantage into the middle of the second quarter.

Instead, the game was tied.

Southwestern entered the matchup leading California in defensive touchdowns. Wedderburn’s return extended that identity against the most dangerous quarterback the Jaguars had faced.

Taylor had been nearly flawless through four games. Southwestern did not prevent him from producing six touchdowns, but the Jaguars forced him into enough mistakes to balance the damage.

Mesa accumulated 473 total yards and scored 42 points.

Southwestern’s three interceptions still became the most important defensive statistic.

DURAN PROTECTS FOOTBALL

While Taylor supplied more total offense and touchdowns, Duran played the cleaner game.

The Southwestern quarterback completed 17 of 30 passes for 229 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

His scoring passes came at crucial moments:

A 30-yard strike to Bean-Seay only 15 seconds after Mesa had reclaimed the lead.
A one-yard touchdown to Cameron with six seconds remaining before halftime.
A 25-yard touchdown to Bean-Seay on Southwestern’s first overtime snap.

Duran also absorbed three sacks and generated only eight rushing yards, but he never gave Mesa’s defense the short field that Southwestern repeatedly received from interceptions.

Bean-Seay caught five passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, producing Southwestern’s two longest and most consequential offensive scores.

Duran entered the game as one of California’s most efficient quarterbacks. His completion percentage declined against Mesa’s pressure, but his judgment held.

In a game decided by one successful conversion, protecting the football became as valuable as producing another explosive play.

BLOCKER TOPS 100

Southwestern’s deepest advantage appeared in the running game.

Blocker carried 22 times for 114 yards, including a 43-yard run, and became the only player in the game to surpass 100 rushing yards.

Jamar Johnson added 53 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, while Elias Johnson gained 38 yards and scored once.

Together, the Jaguars rushed for 213 yards on 47 attempts, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

Mesa finished with 140 rushing yards, but Taylor’s three scoring runs accounted for the Olympians’ touchdowns on the ground.

Former Monte Vista standout Alexander Villanueva carried 22 times for 81 yards, added two catches and continued to provide stability alongside Mesa’s passing attack.

Villanueva did not break the game open, but he repeatedly kept the Olympians within manageable down-and-distance situations against a defense built to attack quarterbacks.

Southwestern’s ability to rotate Blocker, Jamar Johnson and Elias Johnson eventually created more consistent production.

The Jaguars did not dominate the line of scrimmage.

They did enough to preserve offensive balance—and enough to keep Taylor from controlling every possession.

EADS LEADS DEFENSE

Former Christian High standout Brady Eads led all Southwestern defenders with 14 tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss.

Kylan Studebaker added eight tackles and broke up three passes. Omero Inda recorded seven tackles, while Max Gonzales finished with six tackles and two pass breakups.

Carson Curtis delivered four tackles for loss among his five stops and added a sack. Exodus Ayers and Cameron also recorded sacks as Southwestern brought Taylor down four times.

Mesa linebacker Kealii Sione led the Olympians with 12 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Tobiah Araujo and Jack Metzler also recorded sacks for Mesa, which limited Duran to eight net rushing yards.

The defenses allowed 915 combined yards, but neither unit disappeared. Both generated sacks, tackles for loss, turnovers and late stops.

The difference was Southwestern’s ability to turn one of those stops directly into seven points.

IMPERFECT FOOTBALL, UNFORGETTABLE FINISH

This was not a technically clean classic.

The teams combined for 21 penalties totaling 162 yards. Southwestern missed two field goals. Mesa missed two. The Jaguars fumbled away a chance to win during the second overtime. Taylor threw three interceptions after going four games without one.

Southwestern failed on its only fourth-down attempt. Mesa gained more yards but possessed the football for five fewer minutes.

Both teams could identify multiple plays that should have ended the game differently.

That became part of what made the finish memorable.

Mesa overcame every Southwestern answer through 60 minutes and the first overtime. Southwestern survived every mistake it committed—including two late missed field goals and the second-overtime fumble.

In the third overtime, the game no longer required another drive or another kick.

Each team received one play from the 3-yard line.

Southwestern succeeded.

Mesa did not.

That was finally enough separation.

COUNTY CROWN STAYS SOUTH

One year ago, Southwestern defeated Mesa 40-38 in overtime, stopping a two-point conversion to preserve the victory.

Saturday produced an almost uncanny sequel.

Once again, the county rivals required overtime. Once again, Mesa’s final opportunity was a two-point pass. Once again, Southwestern’s defense made the last stand.

The circumstances were larger this time.

Both teams entered 4-0, carried top-10 state rankings and possessed legitimate postseason ambitions. Mesa arrived with the state’s most explosive passing offense. Southwestern countered with a defense that had produced sacks, interceptions and touchdowns throughout September.

Neither reputation was diminished.

Mesa proved it could move the ball against one of California’s most productive defenses. Southwestern proved it could absorb 42 points, three missed scoring opportunities and six Taylor touchdowns without losing its resolve.

The Jaguars earned the victory and the county distinction.

The Olympians ensured they had to earn every bit of it.

TAYLOR’S FIRST INTERCEPTIONS BECOME DECISIVE

Taylor entered DeVore Stadium with 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Southwestern intercepted him three times.

Wedderburn ended Taylor’s season-opening streak with his 55-yard touchdown return. Scott added a 34-yard return late in the third quarter, setting up Southwestern’s first lead. Wedderburn intercepted Taylor again with 30 seconds remaining in regulation.

Taylor still produced 355 yards of total offense and six touchdowns, demonstrating why he has emerged as one of California’s most dangerous quarterbacks.

The Jaguars did not shut him down.

They made his mistakes count.

Southwestern accumulated 94 interception-return yards and turned two of the takeaways into 14 points: seven on Wedderburn’s return and seven after Scott’s interception.

In a two-point game, those possessions represented the margin.

FAMILIAR OVERTIME SCRIPT

The final sequence looked remarkably similar to the 2025 meeting.

Southwestern won that game 40-38 in overtime, denying Mesa’s two-point attempt after the Olympians scored.

This time the NCAA overtime format required conventional possessions in the opening periods before moving to alternating conversion attempts.

The teams traded touchdowns and extra points during the first overtime. Both failed to score in the second. Southwestern then converted from the 3 in the third overtime before denying Mesa’s pass.

Two meetings.

Two Southwestern victories.

Two overtime finishes.

Two games ending when Mesa’s two-point pass failed.

A rivalry does not require a physical trophy when it repeatedly produces endings like these.

VILLANUEVA REPRESENTS MONTE VISTA CONNECTION

Villanueva finished with 81 rushing yards on 22 carries and caught two passes for 12 yards in Mesa’s first loss.

The former Monte Vista standout has become the Olympians’ primary runner while retaining the patient style that made him productive in Spring Valley.

His connection to the rivalry extends to Mesa’s sideline.

Olympians head coach Gary Watkins also graduated from Monte Vista and played there for Carberry before Carberry later built Southwestern into a county power.

Villanueva and Watkins nearly carried Mesa to the unofficial county crown at Carberry’s former stadium.

Southwestern’s final defensive stand kept it in Chula Vista.

BY THE NUMBERS

Category	San Diego Mesa	Southwestern
Final score	42	44
Record	4-1, 1-1	5-0, 2-0
First downs	26	23
Total offense	473	442
Passing yards	333	229
Rushing yards	140	213
Turnovers	3	1
Sacks	3	4
Interception-return yards	0	94
Third downs	10 of 19	8 of 16
Penalties	11-74	10-88
Possession	27:25	32:35

GAME LEADERS

Passing

Mesa: Diesel Taylor, 23-of-40, 333 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Southwestern: Dominic Duran, 17-of-30, 229 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

Rushing

Mesa: Alexander Villanueva, 22 carries, 81 yards
Southwestern: Caleb Blocker, 22 carries, 114 yards

Receiving

Mesa: Jayden Chanel, 8 catches, 110 yards
Southwestern: Malachi Bean-Seay, 5 catches, 96 yards, 2 TD

Defense

Mesa: Kealii Sione, 12 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, forced fumble
Southwestern: Brady Eads, 14 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL
Southwestern: Valentino Wedderburn, 2 interceptions, 60 return yards, 1 TD

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

Mesa — Sherley 59-yard pass from Taylor (Petrich kick), 7-0

Second quarter

Southwestern — Wedderburn 55-yard interception return (Meadows kick), 7-7
Mesa — Taylor 1-yard run (Petrich kick), 14-7
Southwestern — Bean-Seay 30-yard pass from Duran (Meadows kick), 14-14
Mesa — Sherley 20-yard pass from Taylor (Petrich kick), 21-14
Southwestern — Cameron 1-yard pass from Duran (Meadows kick), 21-21

Third quarter

Mesa — Taylor 9-yard run (Petrich kick), 28-21
Southwestern — Elias Johnson 13-yard run (Meadows kick), 28-28

Fourth quarter

Southwestern — Jamar Johnson 2-yard run (Meadows kick), 35-28
Mesa — Taylor 10-yard run (Petrich kick), 35-35

First overtime

Southwestern — Bean-Seay 25-yard pass from Duran (Meadows kick), 42-35
Mesa — Sherley 2-yard pass from Taylor (Petrich kick), 42-42

Second overtime

Mesa — Field goal missed
Southwestern — Fumble lost

Third overtime

Southwestern — Two-point conversion successful, 44-42
Mesa — Two-point pass incomplete

FINAL VERDICT

Southwestern did not beat Mesa by controlling the game from beginning to end.

The Jaguars won by repeatedly preventing the end from arriving until it could occur on their terms.

After three overtimes, three interceptions and one final stop, Southwestern remained undefeated—and remained King of the County.

EastCountySports.com

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