Antelope Valley Wins in Final Minute, 9-7

Marcus Collins caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Michael Gleich with 19 seconds remaining to lift Antelope Valley College to 9-7 nonconference victory over Kings River on Saturday night at Antelope Valley.

It took the Marauders (1-1) 5:35 to drive 62 yards in 13 plays and for the game-winning touchdown, converting two fourth downs in the process.

Darrian Feazell gained two yards on fourth and one at the Antelope 49-yard line, shaking off two defenders to gain the necessary yardage. Six plays later, Gleich completed a 10-yard pass to Andy Rethi on fourth and 10 to keep the drive alive.

Kings River (0-2) took a 7-3 lead on a six-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Thompson to Tim Finegan with 2:38 left in the third quarter.

With Lafayette Bailey sidelined for disciplinary reasons, Antelope Valley’s offense sputtered in the first half, managing only 103 yards and six first downs.

But Antelope Valley shut down the Tigers’ wing-T attack, forcing seven punts, sacking Thompson six times and limiting Kings River to 112 total yards.

A poor punt gave Antelope Valley the ball at the Kings River 42 to start its first possession. Matt Horner kicked a 25-yard field goal eight plays later for the only score of the first half.

Gleich and Brad Norris shared quarterback duties for the second consecutive game. Norris completed six of 13 passes for 59 yards and Gleich threw for 87 yards, completing seven of 15 passes with two interceptions.

Bailey is expected to start next week in the Marauders’ Foothill Conference opener at Southwestern.