Antelope Valley Christian, Mobley Plan for Final After 20-12 Victory

Coach Mark Ligons of Antelope Valley Christian High had an interesting game plan for Saturday’s Eight-Man Small Schools Division semifinal against Riverside Christian.

No game plan.

“When you’ve got as many weapons as we have you just go out and play football,” Ligons said.

Judging by the Eagles’ 20-12 victory at Antelope Valley Christian, no game plan is a good one.

The Eagles will play Rio Hondo Prep in next week’s final.

One of Ligons’ weapons is running back Eric Mobley, who rushed 23 times for 137 yards and scored all three Eagle touchdowns. His 16-yard sweep around the left side put Antelope Valley Christian up, 20-0, with 6 minutes 28 seconds left in the third quarter.

“I like the ball in my hands,” Mobley said. “The team depends on it.”

Riverside Christian (10-2) tried to make a late run, scoring on consecutive fourth-quarter possessions to pull within eight points with 1:39 remaining.

But Jeff Bell recovered the ensuing onside kick for Antelope Valley Christian and the Eagles (10-0) ran out the clock.

The Eagles made two turnovers deep in Cougar territory during the first half and also had a 14-yard scoring run by quarterback Justin Mobley--Eric’s brother--called back because of clipping.

Antelope Valley Christian took a 6-0 halftime lead when Eric Mobley went untouched around the left side from six yards. The touchdown was set up by a 31-yard pass from Justin Mobley to Shannon Byrne.

Eric Mobley added a five-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, one play after Darvell Bivens ran up the middle for 32 yards.