Pierce Holds On in Fourth Quarter : Brahmas Almost Blow 21-Point Lead, Still Beat Antelope Valley

It was a shame that all but the most dedicated Pierce College fans knew who was doing what on the Shepard Stadium playing field Saturday night.

Without programs, Pierce’s 28-26 victory over Antelope Valley was played out in virtual anonymity--not exactly the best way to open the season.

But, programs or no programs, it was an exciting way to open.

Up 28-7 with 14:27 left in the game, Pierce suddenly found itself overrun by the Marauders. Pierce Coach Jim Fenwick began putting in his reserves when Pierce was up 21-7 late in the third, but with the second and third line players in there, Pierce’s lead was quickly eroded.

“We were playing a lot of other people to get a look at a lot of players,” Fenwick said. “We let them get some momentum in the second half and our youth showed a bit.”

So did the Marauder’s muscle. After recovering the ball when Joe Broussard fumbled a snap early in the fourth quarter, Antelope Valley scored on a one-yard plunge by reserve quarterback John Smirk.

With 10:48 left in the game, Marauder running back Jeff McMillan scored on a 32-yard run to bring Antelope Valley within eight.

Then, less than two minutes later, the Marauders did it again. And they did it in a big way.

Smirk threw a pass to running back Tim Lewis, who burned the Pierce secondary and sprinted downfield completing the 84-yard touchdown and narrowing Pierce’s lead to two.

Coach Brent Carder elected to go for a two-point conversion to tie the game, but Smirk’s pass attempt was batted down by Brahma defensive back Brett Whitestone.

“He (Smirk) rolled over and threw to a guy on my side,” Whitestone said. “All I did was come over and knock it down. I feel great that that eventually helped us win it.”

That play threw Antelope Valley off and the Marauders were never again able to get into Pierce territory.

Despite the second-half mishaps, Pierce unveiled one of the most effective offenses Saturday night against Antelope Valley and it’s a simple one: Go to Davis.

In the begining of the second half, it looked as if there was no stopping Pierce--and Robert Davis.

Davis, an All-City selection in 1983 from Cleveland High, rushed for 61 yards on seven carries in the first half and finished with a 110 yards on 14 carries. But Pierce had a few other standouts, too.

With 10:48 left in the third, wide receiver Greg Eskridge, a transfer from the University of Minnesota, caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Steve Haddad, giving Pierce it’s deceptively comfortable 21-7 lead.

Pierce increased its margin to 28-7 in the fourth when Broussard hit Tyrone Beaulieux for a 55-yard touchdown pass. The extra point Ross Hersh was good. But, reserves and inexperience weren’t completely to blame for the Brahmas’ close-call. It took Pierce a while to get with it Saturday night--the Brahmas had had only one scrimmage prior to the game.

Pierce got off to a slow start in the first quarter, unable to get the needed first downs to advance. The Brahmas had trouble sustaining their drive, and Haddad’s passes often failed to hit their mark.

With less than two minutes left to play in the first quarter, Marauder Robert Moore intercepted a Haddad pass at the 10 and returned to the Brahma 23.

That set up Antelope Valley’s first touchdown. At second down and goal, Chaplin scored on a two-yard run, making it 7-0, with 54 seconds left in the first quarter.

Haddad, who was 6 of 15 for 67 yards in the first half, didn’t fare much better in the second going 4 of 11 for 72 yards.

The Brahmas’ first-quarter blues continued into the second, when Pierce, unable to advance downfield, elected to punt. A high snap sent Tony Scarlatta back to the 15-yard line grabbing desperately at the bouncing ball.

But, Scarlatta recovered the ball and hit a 39-yard punt.

That nearly bumbled punt kicked (scared?) the Brahma offense into high gear. On Pierce’s next two possessions, Haddad continually went for his one sure thing--Davis--and got the much-needed first down.

After two passes to Anthony Sargent fell incomplete, the third one proved a charm as Fred Dussett scored the Brahmas’ first touchdown of the season on a nine-yard pass. Marauder Ed Custer blocked the extra point, making it, 7-6.

On Pierce’s next possession, Davis scored on a six-yard run and went for the two-point conversion, taking the lead at halftime, 14-7.