Brothers Key Comeback Victory for Antelope Valley Christian

ARCADIA — Capturing the Southern Section eight-man small schools’ division championship was a family affair for Antelope Valley Christian High on Friday night against Rio Hondo Prep.

The Mobleys, quarterback Justin and running back Eric, led the Eagles (13-0) to a come-from-behind, 28-26 victory.

Justin passed for 142 yards and touchdowns of 51 and 38 yards despite completing only four of 17 passes. Eric scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving, and added a two-point conversion to give Antelope Valley Christian the winning points with three minutes left.

Eric, a junior, paid Justin, a sophomore, the highest compliment he could think of, saying, “He’ll be as good as me someday.”

Tied, 12-12, at halftime, Rio Hondo came out with 14 unanswered points.

A 44-yard, fourth-down touchdown pass play from Justin Mobley to Shannon Byrnes brought the Eagles to within eight with eight minutes remaining.

“All I was saying to myself was ‘Do not drop that ball,’ ” Byrnes said.

Following Byrnes’ score, a two-point conversion run by Darvell Bivens cut Rio Hondo’s lead to six.

On Antelope Valley’s next possession, the Eagles faced fourth down at the Rio Hondo 15-yard line, but they were bailed out by a roughing-the-passer penalty which produced a first down at the seven.

Three plays later, Bivens scored on a two-yard run to tie the score and Eric Mobley’s two-point conversion run untied it.

For Eric Mobley, only one goal remains after his team’s undefeated season.

“I can’t wait to get that ring on my finger,” he said.