Colton, CA—After a back-and-forth fight between the top two teams in the Skyline league, late in the fourth quarter the Carter Lions scored to get within one point of the Yellowjackets, 42-41.
Carter set up to kick the extra point, but an offsides penalty against Colton put the Lions in a better position to break through for a two-point conversion.
The Lions put the ball in the hands of their seemingly unstoppable running back, Jordan McKinney, but a swarm of Yellowjackets, led by Mateo Barboza read the run attempt and stopped McKinney in the backfield to keep the one point advantage.
Barboza said about the moment, “I felt not emotional, but very hyped” once he knew they were winning the game.
Jonathan Quiroz ran back the Lions’ onside kick for a 55-yard touchdown on the following play to secure the 49-41 victory for the Yellowjackets.
“That was the best thing ever!” Quiroz said about the play. “I was just waiting for the ball, focused and just ready to make something happen.”
Now Colton football is one game away from being crowned Skyline League Champs for the first time since 2009.
Colton now owns a share of the Skyline League title, but must defeat Notre Dame on Nov. 1 to stand alone at the top. Despite holding the head-to-head record against Carter, if Colton loses to Notre Dame, but Carter defeats Arroyo Valley, the two teams would be 4-1 in league and would share the league title.
The victory also assures Colton a spot in the upcoming CIF playoffs. Playoff brackets and opponents will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m.
The match against Carter was a challenge from the outset, with both teams coming into the game undefeated in league play at 3-0. And the teams did not disappoint.
During the first half, the score remained tight, with the two teams going into the break tied 14-14.
In the third quarter, Colton built a two touchdown lead, but Carter fought back to get within a point.
Colton QB Koa Regalado was on fire all night, finishing with 324 yards and four touchdowns. Julian Gonzalez caught three of those touchdown passes in the second, third and fourth quarters. In addition to having a big defensive play down the stretch, Kalvin Leon continued to be one of Regalado’s top targets, with seven receptions for 94 yards.
And even though he didn’t find the endzone, receiver Ethan Moreno may have had the biggest impact, racking up 107 yards on nine catches. “He came up with some big plays for us,” coach Ray Rodriguez said.
Running back Damian Sanchez continued to find the end zone, with two touchdowns. He rushed for 42 yards and caught two passes for 19 yards.
After the game, coach Rodriguez still had notes for his team. “We have to capitalize a little bit more offensively when the defense gives us the ball positions, but for the most part we played a good game, we got to see all four quarters of play.”
For Carter, they were led by senior running back Jordan McKinney, who rushed for 298 yards and three touchdowns, including one for 77 yards. Lion’s quarterback Ryder Carson finished 6 of 10 for 72 yards and an interception.
The Yellowjackets will be playing their last game of the season and will face the Notre Dame Titans on Friday night at home, 7pm.
Skyline League Notes
Bloomington def. Notre Dame 49-0
Notre Dame’s winless season continued on Friday as Bloomington blew them out 49-0. Junior Nicholas Seventy rushed for 158 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bruins.
Fontana def. Arroyo Valley 40-8
Fontana put themselves in a tie for third place by pounding Arroyo Valley with a balanced attack in their 40-8 victory. Quarterback Ruben Camacho threw for 119 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Rashawn Williams ran for 90 yards and a touchdown.
