An amazing game ended in heartbreak. The California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSDR) Middle School football team lost to Calvary Chapel of Moreno Valley (CCMV) 66-64 in overtime. The CCMV punched through the middle for the game-winning two-point conversion from the three-yard line. We were down by 6 (58-52) with 2:39 remaining in the…
An amazing game ended in heartbreak. The California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSDR) Middle School football team lost to Calvary Chapel of Moreno Valley (CCMV) 66-64 in overtime. The CCMV punched through the middle for the game-winning two-point conversion from the three-yard line.
We were down by 6 (58-52) with 2:39 remaining in the fourth quarter… we did not have any time out left. Our defense team stopped froze CCMV’s offense, including the number 22! We forced them to turn the ball over with 39 seconds to go for us to score. Marquise swept to the left side for 50 yards or so. Mavrick, the quarterback, quickly re-set the offense line and spiked the ball to freeze the clock with 6 seconds remaining. There were about 10 yards to touchdown- it was our final chance to score. Mavrick handed off the ball to Marquise once again but this time he ran wide right side… he scored! We tied the game, as we ran out of time!
CCMV started to worry… they bunched their strongest linebackers, including 22 in the middle. Our tight end, Alan rushed to the left for the conversion but the CCMV’s defense was too quick- caused Alan to fumble at the same time he just got the ball. We failed the conversion- forcing the game into overtime, turning the lights on. We got the possession first- we scored on our third try! We failed the conversion. Now it was time for CCMV’s ball. They scored fast with number 22 rushing- he was the powerhouse for their team. For their conversion- our defensive team- stopped them cold forcing them to fumble but by a sheer luck of theirs, the rusher fumbled to a CCMV linemen and he recovered into touchdown zone and they got the conversion and they won the game.
Huge heartbreaker for us!
Our boys truly played their hearts out! The game began at 3:30 and ended at 6:45 PM, requiring the lights to be turn on so we could continue playing in the dark! It was one of the longest football games in Middle School football history—3 hours and 15 minutes! It is an historical event that we had lighted football game during our own Rubidoux Bowl game. In addition, we also now hold the new record for highest scoring game- a combined total of 130 points by both teams in a game.
Riverside boys were so fired up with their eyes painted black. We fought so hard defensively. CCMV had one key player, number 22, the size of an high school varsity football player- about the same height as Hiroshi but only more buff. He practically did everything for their team- he scored nearly all touchdowns for CCMV. Only two touchdowns were given to other players. Boys in red sprinted, hit, and tackled everywhere on the field. Number 22 was particularly hard to get… we never gave up! We persisted! We stopped him many times- We did not let him just run to the endzone! We forced them to make progress- we prevented them from making big plays. Twice, they had to turn over the ball on downs. Our defensive team did an amazing job!
Statistically, the defensive game was astounding! Patrick Burger, the statistician, was so busy all evening long marking down all the tackles our players made! We had three players with at least 10 tackles with the highest of 13 tackles by Lamar Francis! We had a total of three QB sacks however- there were so many times that our line forced the QB to hurry or pressure QB.
Offensively… The score speaks itself! We ended the game with a score of 64 points- This is incredible! Our touchdowns were made by six different players! We had an excellent balance. We were able to move the ball so well! Our backs, Lamar Francis, Marquise Weathersby, Kevin Clark, Wayne Aguirre, and Alan Alcocer ran the ball with fire! Once they had the ball at the right time, they move the ball big time! Our backs wouldn’t have done it without our offensive line and the beautiful handling of our quarterback, Mavrick Fisher.
Boys in red struggled in the kick-off team especially during the first half when CCMV usually returned the ball for nearly 40-50 yards most of the time—giving little room for our defensive team to defend our field. However, our kick-off receiving team was champ! Lamar returned for two touchdowns! One touchdown at the very end of first half and other touchdown at very beginning of the second half. Boy, he was too quick for CCMV defense.
In the end of the game, the boys were very disappointed but then Coach Zarembka got their heads back up by describing how proud he was for them! He told the players- they truly played their hearts out in a one of a kind game. The boys will focus on getting prepared for their next final regular season game against San Jacinto Valley on October 28.
Mr. Ryan M. Zarembka
Head Coach Middle School footbball
Nancy Moore’s comments:
I’m so proud of the coaches and the team!!!!
