Following a convincing 47-0 victory over San Bernardino Valley College in the season opener, the San Diego Mesa College (1-0) football team is once again on the road to face Cerritos College (1-0) on Saturday, September 9, at 6:00 p.m. The teams last faced each other in 2021 at the Western State Bowl, with the Falcons upending the Olympians 32-14.
The Cerritos College Falcons last week defeated Antelope Valley College 40-6. Known for their balanced attack, Cerritos can pass, run, and possess an opportunistic defense which created 5 turnovers in their season opener. The offense racked up 348 yards through the air and 128 yards on the ground.
“Cerritos is a perennial power in the SCFA,” states San Diego Mesa head coach Gary Watkins. “Every year, Cerritos puts a quality team on the field. I am expecting an old school and physical kind of game. Coach Grosfeld and his entire staff does a great job building their squad. This will be a really good test for us.”
San Diego Mesa College has traditionally been known as a program that can score. For the Olympians to produce a shutout is a welcome result.
The defense held the San Bernardino Valley College offense under 86 total yards (76 passing, 10 rushing). Jayden Cortel led the team with 5 total tackles (2 solo) and an interception. Ryan Black, Tyeron Washington, Ryan Odom, and Adrian Davis all contributed with one sack, while Bryen Spaulding turned in two. Andrew Batalla and Jordan Dwyer both recorded an interception.
Watkins adds, “our defense was amazing last Saturday. A shutout is extremely difficult to do at any level, to force a number of turnovers and to give up less than 100 yards is something we hope to carry over to the upcoming games.”
Watkins credits Coach Bridges and the defensive staff for preparing the players to play confidently and freely. Bryen Spaulding was named defensive player of the game in his first collegiate game with his two sacks.
They say that in order to win a football game, you must win 3 phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams. With the exception of a blocked field goal, special teams played well. The unit was able to create big plays which gave the Olympians great field position. Mauricio Escudero was 1 of 1 on field goals with a long of 29 and was 5 of 6 on extra points. Ryan Harris was 1 of 2, with a long of 50 yards. Ryan Harris punted an average of 36.3 yards with a long of 40 and 1 inside the 20. Harris also kicked off 8 times, with 5 being touchbacks.
On the offensive side of the ball, both RIchie Comenero III and James Odom have shown that they can lead the team. “Our quarterback position is a fluid situation right now,’ adds Watkins. “Both Richie and James bring unique and tangible elements to the game that we believe can help us succeed.
The Olympians tallied 306 total yards after 67 total offensive plays and averaged 4.6 yards per play. The quarterback play of Richie Comenero III, James Odom, and Tyson Lang combined for 233 yards passing and 3 touchdowns.
Richie Colmenero III was 7-11 for 125 yards with a long of 48, 1 passing touchdown, and 2 rushing scores. James Odom was 8-16 for 88 yards with a long of 24 and 2 passing touchdowns. Odom also scored from the ground with 12:48 to go in the second quarter. Tyson Lang was 5-6 for 20 yards with a long of 10.
On the ground, Tavian Tate led the group with 69 yards, averaged 5.8 per carry and a long of 46 yards.