Eagle Football Pulls Away in Second Half at Santa Ana

The MSJC football team shut out Santa Ana in the second half Saturday night to win their third straight game as they defeated the Dons on the road 42-20.

The Eagles took a 6-0 lead after a pair of field goals by Nathaniel Peterson from 25 and 34 yards out capped off two short drives.  Santa Ana would answer to take their only lead of the day with 2:11 to play in the opening quarter when they scored on a 39 yard pass play.  Just 17 seconds into the second quarter MSJC reclaimed the lead on a 60 yard touchdown pass from Robert Coleman to Matthew Hicks, making the score 13-7.  The Eagle defense forced a punt from Santa Ana on their next possession taking over on their own 24 yard line.  On the first play of the ensuing drive Coleman hooked up with Jevin Dorsey for a 76 yard scoring strike to push the Eagles lead to 20-7.  Santa Ana roared back with two quick touchdowns late in the half, but a failed extra point attempt kept the game tied at 20-20 at halftime.

In the second half the MSJC defense stiffened as they turned away several Dons drives and came up with some big plays.  Demond Young and Naisir Morrow each had an interception while Joseph Rapolla had 3 sacks and Steven Bradshaw recorded a game high 10 tackles.  The Eagles finally pushed ahead for good on the last play from scrimmage in the third period as Jaylen Magee broke free for a 61 yard touchdown run.  In the fourth quarter Magee would add another run from 34 yards out and MSJC capped off their scoring when Matthew Caldera scored on a long 72 yard run.

Coleman wrapped up his day with 268 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns, Magee rushed for 146 yards on just 11 carries an average of over 13 yards per attempt.  Dorsey caught 4 passes for 128 yards while Taliq Brown had 4 receptions and Taylor Tosches 3.  Khamarli Jarrett and Abdul-Rashid Gbaja-Biamila also added sacks for the Eagle defense.

MSJC is now 3-1 on the season and will return home on Saturday for a game with Orange Coast.  Saturday's kick off at Carl Quandt Stadium is set for 1 pm.