Stangs outlast Jags, 24-16

Football and dance teams raise ‘Pink’ awareness

The Los Medanos College Mustangs beat the San Jose City College Jaguars 24-16 Saturday, Sept. 26, defending their home turf, thanks to a 16-play, 90-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter during the Catch Pink event designed to boost breast cancer awareness.
A rally for the Catch Pink game, sponsored by the LMC Athletic Department and Student Life, was held Thursday, Sept. 24. The Mustangs dance team performed to start the rally as the football team members in attendance were introduced by head coach Chris Shipe.
Student Life Coordinator Demetria Lawrence shared her thoughts on the significance of the event.
“The Catch Pink game is very important and provides an opportunity for our campus community to learn more about Breast Cancer while supporting our sports teams,” she said.
Balloons and other pink-laden memorabilia decorated the stadium as the game began.
In the first quarter, the Mustangs kicked off the scoring with a touchdown run from halfback Billy Wells. It was quickly thwarted by a 59-yard scoring run from Juawan Etheridge, who rushed for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns, which tied the game.
A field goal was added on each side during the second quarter making the score 10-10 heading into the third quarter.
LMC quarterback Julius Mozee threw his second interception of the game just seconds into the third quarter that led to SJCC taking a 16-10 lead after a failed extra point.
The Mustangs quickly scored and regained the lead the next drive with a 43-yard pass from Mozee to wideout Andrew Crawford, who broke multiple tackles on the play.
In the fourth quarter, Mozee and backup quarterback Gabe Taylor orchestrated the aforementioned 90-yard drive that ate up nearly eight minutes, which ended in a Taylor pass to wide receiver Jacob Puente, which all but sealed the game.
The Jaguars were held scoreless in the fourth quarter due to a strong defensive effort from LMC, led by defensive linemen Joseph Neal-Clark and De’Angelo Powell, who respectively had two and one-and-a-half sacks during the game.
Shipe was happy with the end result, but knows there is always more to work on.
“We have to be connective with our offensive plays with completed passes and a strong defensive side like today,” said Shipe.
The Mustangs are now 2-2, and their next two contests are road games against Contra Costa College Oct. 3 and Hartnell College Oct. 17, with a bye week in between.