Game Stats | Season Stats
September 30, 2006
Football:
Vikings pull out thrilling 35-28 win at rival Cerritos
The Long Beach City College defense made big plays when it needed it most and sophomore cornerback Ryan Howard had a big night on both sides of the ball, as the Vikings prevailed in a thrilling 35-28 Mission Conference interdivision win at Cerritos College’s Falcon Stadium on Saturday night.
The win also returned the Crosstown Cup (the perpetual trophy given to the winner of the annual rivalry game) to Long Beach until next season’s meeting.
Howard had a huge night for the Vikings and made three big plays to lead LBCC to the victory.
Midway through the second quarter with the score tied 14-14, Cerritos looked to take the lead after driving all the way down to the Long Beach six-yard line. But on first and goal, Cerritos quarterback Chad Manis tried to hit receiver Mark Jean-Louis in the end zone, but had his pass picked off by Howard which he ran back 49 yards to end the Cerritos threat.
Lining up in the slot position, Howard took a backfield pass from LBCC quarterback Josh Powell, then tossed it deep to sophomore wide receiver LaTroy Dinkins to connect for a 51-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter that tied the game 21-21.
Later in the third, Powell hit Howard with a short screen pass that he took 77 yards for a touchdown to give LBCC a 28-21 lead at the 8:48 mark.
On the ensuing kickoff, Cerritos’ Genoa Dill received the ball at his own five-yard line and ran it back 95 yards for the touchdown, and just like that, the score was evened at 28.
Late in the fourth, Cerritos once again got deep in Long Beach territory and looked to score the go-ahead touchdown, but again, the defense made another big play.
On third and goal from the LBCC nine-yard line, Manis had his pass intended for Jerrad Nut intercepted by freshman Don Tupou at the LBCC two-yard line. He ran it back 45 yards to give the Vikings good field position for the eventual game-winning drive.
Nine plays and 53 yards later, Powell connected with Dinkins from 10 yards out for the go-ahead touchdown pass with 3:25 left in the game.
Cerritos had one last try to tie up the game on its ensuing drive. On fourth and two from their own 40, Manis had his pass knocked down by Howard to end the hopes of a Cerritos comeback.
Powell had his best game of the year, throwing for a season-high 197 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 of 25 passing with no interceptions. Powell also ran for a four-yard touchdown and tossed a six-yard TD to sophomore Paul Robinson in the first quarter.
Dinkins caught 5 passes for 84 yards with 2 TDs to lead Viking receivers.
For Cerritos (2-3), Manis threw for 184 yards on 10 of 19 passing with 2 TDs and 2 interceptions. Rylon Thomas collected a game-high 90 yards rushing on 12 carries with 1 TD.
With their second straight win, the Vikings improved their record 3-2 overall as they head into a conference-wide bye week. Long Beach returns to action on October 14 when it opens Mission Conference American Division play with a 1 pm contest at Mt. San Antonio College.
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