With a 34-21 loss to the Santa Ana Dons at Cerritos, the Falcons football team dropped to 4-6 overall and 2-3 in the division last Saturday ending all playoff hopes.
For the first time in more than 30 years the Cerritos College football team had a back to back losing season.
The last time the team had a back to back losing season was in 1970 and ’71.
In Cerritos’ 48 years they have had only eight losing seasons. In Coach Frank Mazzotta’s 28 years he has only had three losing seasons.
Both teams scored on their opening drives.
In the second quarter the Dons scored 20 points making the score 27-7.
It wasn’t until 4:05 left in the fourth quarter that the Falcons began to get in the game.
They scored a touchdown and without scoring the extra point the score was 34-13.
The Falcons made many attempts to even the score but fell short.
With 1:33 left in the fourth quarter the Falcons scored the final touchdown of the game making the score 34-21.
The total net rushing yards for the Santa Ana Dons was 294 yards, and the rushing yards for the Falcons was 233 yards.
The total net passing yards for the Falcons was 236 yards, and the total for the Dons was 287 yards.
On the year, Johnson finished with 900 rushing yards, which is the 16th highest in school history.
As for Kline, he ended the season with 1,867 passing yards, which ranks fifth in school history.
In addition, Kline rushed 412 yards, which was the second most on the team.
The leading receiver, Anthony Oliver, caught 32 passes for 551 yards and five scores, while Smith finished with 29 receptions for 422 yards and five scores.
Jamairo McClain, free saftey, led the defense with 80 tackles on the year, with Dylan Campanale, linebacker, finishing with 74 tackles, despite missing two games.
There were many reasons why the Falcons did not come out on top in this last game.
Wide receiver Lyndon Wyse said, “The defense wasn’t prepared.”
“We didn’t play to our potential,” Wyse added.
“We could have played a lot better in this last game, they were mentally prepared.”
Though this was not a good game for the Falcons their overall season was pretty good.
Offside linebacker Mike Mair of the Dons said, “We played against a really good team, they’re great players.”
Coach Mazzotta said, “I think considering everything (four new defensive coaches that have never coached at this level and freshman players) I thought we did extremely well in overall the season.”
He added, “I thought the kids played hard, that says something for our future, in some games we weren’t as big or fast but the guys never backed down.”
There were many great players on the team.
Who do the players think is the MVP of the season?
Well it’s a toss up between Jeron Johnson, running back, and Kline.
Wyse said, “Jeron plays hard, he never gives up on a play.”
Oliver said, “Kline has been out for three years and now he is back and he has done great at every game.”
The most improved player “would have” to be wide receiver Cory Rhoane.
“He is the clutch man, when we get in a jam he gets us out, he plays like he wants it,” Wyse said. “He’s hungry for the game.”
