ELAC — It’s fourth and goal on the six yard line, East Los Angeles College’s ball in double overtime.
They pitch it right to the running back who’s stopped for a loss of three yards by Santa Monica College cornerback Brian Hawthorne. The tackle saved the game, giving SMC a 26-20 win, improving the Corsairs’ record to 2-0.
“I just knew I had to do what I had to do for my team,” Hawthorne said. “After I saw my teammates crashing down on me, I knew SMC did this.”
Despite the late-game heroics, the Corsairs went into halftime trailing, 7-3.
SMC Defensive Coordinator Steven Garcia was not pleased with what he was getting from his defense as they let the Huskies rack up 220 yards in total offense compared to just 78 from the Corsairs during the first half.
“Get a pass rush, and quit making mistakes,” Garcia told his team at halftime.
It was hard to tell if his words made a difference as ELAC would ultimately tie the game at 13-13 heading into overtime.
ELAC would strike first with a touchdown to go up 20-13. SMC would answer with a one-yard run by Daniel Pipkin to tie the game at 20 apiece.
SMC had the first possession of the second overtime, scoring on a 25-yard run by Myles Johnson. ELAC would block the extra point, giving the Corsairs a 26-13 edge.
The Huskies would drive to the six-yard line, where Hawthorne would make the fateful tackle to secure the win and a 2-0 start to the season.
Next week, the Corsairs will travel to Santa Ana College, hoping to begin the season 3-0.
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