Mt. Carmel Passes Comeback Test : Beeman’s Touchdown Pass Beats Orange Glen, 26-21

Chris Beeman finally knows what it’s like to be behind in a football game this season.

His reaction: “It’s scary.”

Beeman appeared anything but scared Friday night when he looked 14 yards downfield and saw Gannon Tidwell alone in the left corner of the end zone.

Beeman, Mt. Carmel High School’s quarterback, lobbed a pass to Tidwell, and all the wide receiver had to do was kneel and catch the ball to give the Sundevils a 26-21 victory over Orange Glen in a Palomar League game at Mt. Carmel.

“I was just so open, all he had to do was toss it up and I got it,” Tidwell said.

The touchdown, with 44 seconds to play, gave Mt. Carmel the victory and a 6-0 overall record, 3-0 in league.

Mt. Carmel Coach Bill Christopher said he knew his team would fight back after falling behind, 21-20, on Orange Glen running back Mark King’s third touchdown with less than seven minutes to play.

“I didn’t think that would be the way we would get it, but I knew we still had a chance,” Christopher said.

Mt. Carmel wasted what appeared to be its final scoring chance when Beeman was intercepted by Bill McNeil on the Patriot 23-yard line. Early in the series, two of Beeman’s passes were deflected by defensive back Mike Whittaker in the end zone.

But Orange Glen couldn’t gain any ground in its three downs. On fourth down, punter Jason Sowers mishandled a low snap and Mt. Carmel’s Ken Bell made the tackle.

It took Mt. Carmel only two plays from the 18 to score on its winning series.

For the Sundevils, who have traditionally been overshadowed by Palomar League powerhouses Vista and Mt. Carmel, Friday’s victory gave Mt. Carmel its best start ever.

Mt. Carmel should have been ready for a close game after Orange Glen scored 21 points. That’s more points than all of Mt. Carmel’s previous five opponents managed against the Sundevils. Before Friday night, Mt. Carmel was limiting its opponents to four points a game.

The first half was not nearly as exciting as the final quarter.

After both teams traded touchdowns to open the game, Mt. Carmel overpowered Orange Glen in the first half.

Mt. Carmel scored on the opening series, driving 57 yards, primarily on the run, in 10 plays before Mark King forced his way into the end zone from the one. Robert Myers missed the extra point.