Jimmy Walker’s 49-yard touchdown pass to tight-end Ainslie Johnson in the fourth quarter was the difference maker for the Cerritos College football team when it defeated the visiting Allan Hancock College, 19-12, on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Coach Frank Mazzotta credits this win to the defensive squad having a great performance, as well as quarterback Walker.
“Jimmy made two great throws, and the reason I say ‘great’ is (because it’s) something that doesn’t come off (like) that all the time.”
Cerritos were already up in the score within the first minute of the game when wide receiver Justin Caines caught a pass from Walker who went 61 yards for a touchdown.
Afterward, the Falcons failed in their one-point conversion after Brandon Romero’s kick went wide.
The Falcons would go up 13-3 near the end of the first quarter after running back Joseph Donnell’s one-yard run for a touchdown, after defensive back Anthony Murray’s punt return for 69 yards.
After the first quarter, Cerritos would struggle offensively as the the Bulldogs were able to catch up by the end of the first half, down 13-12.
Both teams neutralized one another in the second half as nothing of real note offensively happened in the third quarter.
Running back DeVonte Carter was instrumental for the game-deciding touchdown as his three consecutive runs helped the Falcons gain the necessary yards on their own 39-yard line.
Then, Walker spotted Johnson alone and threw it for a 49-yard touchdown pass to put Cerritos ahead 19-12 with 9:27 left in the fourth quarter.
Cerritos’ defensive line forced Allan Hancock’s offense to be kept at bay, as its pressure forced errors.
Walker said, “Our defense was lights out tonight. (We) use(d) plays when we needed to, force(d) key turnovers and really pick(ed) the offense off when we were struggling.”
The Bulldogs were forced to a fourth and 20 situation in the last drive thanks to defensive end Alex Jones sacking quarterback Curry Parham for a loss of 10 yards.
The game ended 19-12 in favor of the Falcons, and for freshman Malachi Morehead, the deciding factor was the coach yelling to adjust in order to pick up the pace in the second half.
This victory was the third straight, as the Falcons have a Northern League record of 2-1 and will play away at Bakersfield on Saturday, Oct.25, at 4 p.m.
