Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College football team continues to seek their first win of 2013 but will have to wait another week as they fell Saturday evening in an exciting five overtime thriller 49-46 to Claremont-M-S.
This marks the second straight week the Poets have lost in OT losing 17-10 to Pomona-Pitzer last week. The 5 OT's also marks one of the longest games in the Whittier College Football Record Books with the longest coming back in 2010 when the Poets beat Puget Sound on the road in six overtimes 42-39.
In the first quarter the Stags struck first with a three yard touchdown pass from Trey Reynolds to Patrick Dixon but on the ensuing extra point the Poets' Mundo Guzman (Covina, Calif.) picked up the bobbled snap and went the other way going 98 yards giving the Poets two points.
On Whittier's ensuing possession, three strong rushes by TJ Jordan (Orcutt, Calif.) and Anthony Walker (San Diego, Calif.) and a big 15 yard hookup from Jordan to Steven Rivera (El Monte, Calif.) put the Poets in striking distance but on a 1st and 10 from the CMS 35, Jordan was hit hard at the line of scrimmage by Max Winsberg loosing the ball and having it picked up by the CMS defensive unit.
After an ensuing three and out by the Stags, the Poets received the ball late in the first quarter and started their go ahead drive that covered 67 yards and 3:55. A big 17 yard reception by Makale Ruiz-McCobb (Pomona, Calif.) and a big 17 yard rush by Walker put the Poets in great field position that was capped off with a 13 yard scamper from Walker that put the Poets in front 9-6.
Claremont-M-S would respond however going back in front with an 11 play 70 yard drive capped off with a four yard touchdown from Reynolds to Dixon that again put them in front 13-9. The Stags wouldn't be done there though as they would force the Poets back deep in their own territory forcing a three and out, but on the 4th down punt, Poet long snapper Cameron Coon (Whittier, Calif.) would give a low snap to punter Alex Jungsten (Orangevale, Calif.), which forced him to run, losing two yards and giving the Stags the ball on the Whittier six, which they eventually punched in with a touchdown grab from Tyler Stanek that put CMS in front 20-9.
Whittier didn't go away though and put together one final drive before the half going 65 yards in 8 plays thanks to a 39 yard connection between Jordan and Diante Jackson (Oakland, Calif.) that pulled the Poets within four at 20-16.
Out of the half the Stags would add three with a 30 yard field goal from Matthew Aven but Whittier would answer with their own field goal from Jungsten with 2:40 to play in the third, which capped off a 10 play, 64 yard drive that kept WC within a possession.
With 25 seconds to play in the frame, Whittier would gain some momentum thanks solely to Jackson who picked up a 51 yard reception, which he later punched in from 10 yards out that opened the 4th quarter putting the Poets in front for the second time 26-23.
CMS elected to go for a 4th and 3 conversion with 13:24 to play in the fourth but was denied by the Poet defensive unit. CMS saw one last opportunity on their final possession in regulation with 2:24 to play. Starting on their own 16, CMS went down the field due to two big penalties on the Poets and a big 16 yard reception down the sideline to Ryan Farney that set up a game tying field goal from 24 yards out with eight seconds to play that sent the game into overtime.
In the first OT period CMS struck first with a touchdown from Reynolds to Kris Otterholt forcing Whittier to do the same on their series, which they did, with Jordan finding Coon up the seam going into the end zone untouched forcing a second OT.
In the second extra session, Whittier had the ball first and this time they answered with a touchdown with Jordan hustling in from five yards out forcing CMS to do the same. From the 7, Reynolds again found Otterholt forcing the game into a third over time.
In the third OT, the Stags put up yet another touchdown but this time from Steven Kohr from two yards out, but on the Poets next possession they would respond once more getting a first career receiving touchdown from Rivera that sent the game into a fourth OT.
In this period, a touchdown was not scored but Jungsten missed a 49 yard field goal keeping the door wide open for the Stags to take the game, but on their next series, Aven would miss his 35 yard chip shot wide left forcing the game into a 5th over time.
In the final OT period, Aven would connect from 33 yards out forcing Whittier to do the same to force a sixth overtime but Jungsten ended up missing his boot from 36 yards out wide left surrendering the knee knocker to Claremont-M-S.
Due to all of the injuries that have plagued the Poets and all of the position changes, the Poets have found success on their offensive line consisting of Christian Reveles (Rosemead, Calif.), Joshua Enrico (Norwalk, Calif.), Tony Jarjoura (Fort Olgethorpe, GA), Tyler Howes (San Tan Valley, AZ), Mark Kozhaya (Downey, Calif.), and Daniel Novak (La Habra Heights, Calif.) who helped the Poets total 455 yards of total offense (297 Passing; 158 rushing).
Jordan finished the day throwing for 297 yards and a career high four touchdowns, while Jackson hauled in 9 catches for 172 yards and two touchdown.
On the ground, Walker again hit the 100 yard plateau finishing with 32 carries for 167 yards and a score.
Defensively, Masson Blow (Sacramento, Calif.) finished with a team and season high 15 tackles (3 solo, 12 Assisted), while Austin Brasher (El Segundo, Calif.) totaled 10 (2 Solo, 8 Assisted).
Billy Thomas (Bellflower, Calif.) and Nathan Poole (San Diego, Calif.) each recorded 9 tackles a piece with Poole recording a sack for an eight yard loss.
Trevor Phillips (La Habra, Calif.), Keoni Kanoa (San Diego, Calif.), Guzman, and Nick Alcantar (Northridge, Calif.) all had eight tackles a piece.
Whittier returns to the gridiron as they prepare for a road contest against Cal Lutheran University this coming Saturday, November 2 beginning at 7:00pm.
