Top 8 Plays From the 2019 Football Season

2020’s football season might be cancelled, but the Mounties were going strong before that. Here are some highlights from 2019

Jesse Espitia, Sports Editor|December 9, 2020

Mychal Corbin/SAC.Media

Mt. SAC players huddling up before facing off against Fullerton.

With the 2020 football season being delayed until February of 2021, the excitement that is Mt. SAC football has been put on the shelf until after Christmas. Last year’s season ended without a state championship, but Mt. SAC had an extremely successful season, winning a division championship with a killer defensive unit and potent offense. So, as an early Christmas gift for Mt. SAC football fans, the SAC.Media staff has ranked our top eight moments from last year’s football season.

#8 Rachaad White 56-yard TD run against East Los Angeles College – Sept. 28, 2019

We are unsure if White was already on the radar of D1 scouts, but he definitely was after this game. White waltzed himself into the end zone untouched. He scored two touchdowns and rushed for 125-yards this game to help Mt. SAC earn the victory over ELAC.

#7 Rachaad White 70+TD run against San Diego Mesa – Nov. 9, 2019

Another one of White’s spectacular plays during the 2019 season was his 70-yard touchdown run against San Diego Mesa. White turned on the wheels and left the entire San Diego Mesa defense in his wake. This play came in a losing effort, otherwise we would have ranked this higher on our list. This run proved to everyone out there that White was the real deal.

#6 Jonathan Schofield hauls in 2nd TD against against El Camino – Oct. 26, 2019

It seemed like Schofield was always a dangerous threat for the Mounties last season. Schofield put up a monster game against El Camino collecting 215-yards receiving to go along with his two touchdowns. His second TD helped the SACDAWGS stay in the game after he hauled in a beautifully thrown pass from Zach Rangel right at the pylon. The team was definitely fired up after the play and so was the guy on the sidelines who ran up to Schofield and lifted him up with a bear hug.

#5 Sean Bowden 51-yard TD reception against Cerritos College – Nov. 2, 2019

Mt. SAC quarterback Zach Rangel was trying to score before halftime since they would be getting the ball back after the break. Rangel fired a rainbow of a pass that Bowden was somehow able to catch and run into the endzone. It was an incredible play because Bowden displayed incredible concentration by being able to track the ball in the lights.

“It felt like catching a punt,” Bowden said. “Coach Cam called our favorite deep play. And I was able to run by coverage and catch the ball.”

#4 Malaki Thompson- Punches in TD and 2-pt Conversion to Seal Comeback against El Camino – Oct. 26, 2019

The game against El Camino came down to the wire and Mt. SAC had a chance to take the lead during a two-minute drill situation. After driving the ball 80-yards, the Mounties found themselves in a goal line situation, needing just two yards to score. Instead of handing off the ball to White, who had been getting the ball the entire game, the coaching staff elected to put in Thompson so he could bruise his way into the end zone. The coaches made a great decision since the powerful back did not disappoint.Thompson powered his way into the end zone for the go ahead score.
Thompson also ran in the two-point conversion that secured the lead for good. The SACDAWGS were fired up after Thompson’s run put the stamp on the comeback win on the road.

#3 Levon Barnett 96-yd Interception TD return against Cerritos College – Nov. 2, 2019

The Mt. SAC offense essentially put this game away early, but Cerritos was able to claw their way back into the game to make the scoreline respectable. During the last minute of the game, the Falcons were down two possessions. With under a minute left, they continued to run their offense, refusing to concede defeat. They were knocking on the Mt. SAC goal line, when safety Levonn Barnett jumped the receiver’s route and returned an interception 96-yards for a touchdown.

“They were trying to score on us, so that was my answer for their entire team, that we are the better team,” Barnett said.

#2 Flenniken and Jonathan Schofield. -75-yard touchdown against Saddleback College with 2:00 left – Oct. 5, 2019

Starting quarterback Zach Rangel had to leave this rivalry match during the game after suffering an injury, so backup quarterback, Dylan Flenniken came into the game in replacement. After having a tough time finding his rhythm, Flenniken found himself trailing 20-17 with two minutes left in the game. Flenniken then threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jonathan Schofield. The speedy receiver bobbled the pass before securing the touchdown and running it into the end zone. Schofield should have been the hero that day, but Saddleback quarterback Chance Nolan immediately scored on the ensuing drive to down the Mounties at Covina District Field. The play however deserves its merit and everyone in the stands that day were on their feet watching Schofield’s bobbling catch; it should have been the game winner.

#1 Inoke Katoa Interception SCFA Championship Game against Fullerton – Nov. 16, 2019

The game against Fullerton decided who would win the division championship and a guaranteed spot in the CCCAA State Championship Playoffs. The game was intense and both teams played stingy defense not wanting to give up anything to their opponent. At the start of the 3rd quarter, the score was tied at 10-10 when defensive lineman Inoke Katoa picked off Fullerton’s quarterback to give Mt. SAC the ball. The offense went back out on the field because of the extra possession and immediately scored on that drive. The momentum swung in Mt. SAC’s favor after the interception by Katoa, and gave us the actual best moment of the 2019 football season: the post game celebration after beating Fullerton.