Brahmas lose in a shootout
by Jason Sabolic
This past weekend the Brahmas (0-3) took on the Long Beach City College Vikings (0-3) in a day game at Veteran’s Stadium in Long Beach. It was a game that would promise to produce a winner as both teams were searching for their first. Anytime you have two teams without a win you are guaranteed to see some fireworks, and at the end the team that wants it more usually comes up with the victory. Well, this game did not disappoint, and was definitely action packed from the get go. Once again the Brahmas would start the game on the defensive side of the ball, but unlike previous games, they would not hold. After a good kick off return to the Brahma 46 yard line, the Vikings would string together an eight play drive to go up 6-0, but the score would stay as the extra point try was unsuccessful. It was now time for the Brahma offense to take over, led out on to the field by QB Matt Rasmussen (Faith Baptist HS), playing in the absence of Jake Basmajian (Chaminade HS) who is still nursing a sprained knee. The Brahmas would answer the scoring call early, putting together a 13 play drive capped off by a six yard touchdown pass from Rasmussen to TE Beau Sandland (Simi Valley HS). K Brian Gutierrez (Birmingham HS) would convert the extra point to give the Brahmas an early lead, 7-6. With both teams consuming a lot of clock during their initial drives, the first quarter would end with the Brahmas still up by 1.
The second quarter would pick up with the Vikings on offense, making quick work of their first drive of the quarter, as they would score five plays in. The Vikings would try for the two point conversion and fail. With the score 12-7, the Brahmas had a chance to answer but would go three and out. On the ensuing punt, K Vince Salvati (El Camino Real HS) would bobble the snap leading to a turnover deep in Brahma territory. The Vikings would score two plays later to increase their lead to 19-7. The Brahma offense would stall once again forcing a punt, but this time it was successful. Long Beach would take the good field position from the punt and drive down the field, but the drive came to a screeching halt when Brahma FS Cody Berry intercepted a Viking pass returning it 73 yards for a touchdown. This left the Brahmas down by only 5, 19-14. But the diminished lead would last only so long as the Vikings would find the end zone one more time through the air, leaving the score 26-14 at the break.
The Brahmas would start the second half with the ball as they would try to reduce the deficit. They would do just that in a quick fashion as WR Jarrot Bell (Chatsworth HS) would set the offense up with good field position after his 43 yard kickoff return. The Brahmas would find the end zone three plays later as Rasmussen would find WR Joe Morris, who made a one handed catch, and continue on 37 yards for the touchdown. With a failed point after attempt, the score saw the Brahmas creeping back into the game, 26-20. However, the defense would not be able to hold allowing another quick touchdown, putting the Vikings up 32-20 after another unsuccessful two point conversion. The Brahma offense would not concede, scoring quickly on the ensuing drive as Rasmussen found Joe Morris once again on an 11 yard strike, making the score 32-27 with nine minutes left.
But, the scoring in the quarter was far from over, as the game would take on the persona of a Heavyweight boxing match. Both teams going blow for blow, as mistakes turned into quick scores. Up by only 5 again, the Vikings would strike on a long pass play thanks in part to a blown coverage, putting them up 40-27. After the Vikings scored, the Brahmas would lead the charge down the field as Rasmussen would sneak the ball past the goal line from 1 yard out capping a 15 play drive. Now, 40-33 after a blocked PAT, the Vikings would regain control and score one more time for good measure as the time ran out on the 3rd quarter.
Down 47-33 to start the 4th quarter, the Brahmas tried their best to attempt a comeback, but were not successful on their first drive. Both teams would exchange punts until the 11 minute mark which found the Brahmas on the scoring end through the air as Rasmussen found WR Talir Satterfield-Rowe for a 50 yard touchdown. With the extra point the Brahmas were once again within one score, 47-40. Nevertheless, the relief was once again momentary as the Vikings would answer back with another quick strike to take a 54-40 lead. With only 4 minutes remaining in the game, the Vikings would turn the ball over on downs at the Brahma 36 yard line offering up some hope. The offense would turn that turnover into seven more points as Rasmussen found favorite receiver Joe Morris one more time from 61 yards out. Down by a touchdown, and only two minutes remaining, the Brahmas would get one more shot thanks in part to a blocked punt by Beau Sandland. Starting on their own 34 yard line, the Brahmas would have to drive the length of the field to tie the game and send it to overtime. The offense would record four first downs on the drive but would stall bringing up a 4th and 5 situation on the Long Beach 7 yard line with 47 seconds left in regulation. The fourth down pass from Rasmussen to RB Greg Wanamaker would fall short and the Vikings would take over on downs. After two kneel downs the game ended with Vikings coming out of the scrap victorious 54-47. Two players stuck out for the Brahmas on this day, QB Matt Rasmussen who was 23-38 for 382 yards and 6 TD’s (5 passing, 1 rushing), and WR Joe Morris who caught 7 balls for 200 yards and 3 TD’s. Defensively, Gerald Bowman paved the way with 8 tackles (2 for loss, 1 sack).
No matter what the final score was, the young Brahmas showed many signs of improvement, especially on offense. With the defense taking a back seat this week, the only thing left to do is get the whole team on the same page, with both the offense and defense firing on all cylinders at the same time. Knowing what it is that needs to be accomplished, the Brahmas can now put their rough non-conference past behind them and focus on the more important upcoming conference schedule. This week, the Brahmas (0-4) travel to West L.A. College to take on the Wildcats (1-3), one of the strongest American Pacific Conference teams this season. Both teams have experienced growing pains in their respective non-conference games, but are very evenly matched. On top of that, the games between the two programs for the past three years have been exhilaratingly close and high scoring. Last year the Brahmas won the game 42-38, in 2009 the Brahmas won an overtime game 62-55, and in 2008 West LA got the better half winning 50-37. This year should be no different, so get there early to enjoy a wild game. Hopefully the Brahmas have enough in the tank to turn it on when it matters most! The Brahmas have a title to defend! Kickoff is at 1 PM. Stay tuned for the details…
The second quarter would pick up with the Vikings on offense, making quick work of their first drive of the quarter, as they would score five plays in. The Vikings would try for the two point conversion and fail. With the score 12-7, the Brahmas had a chance to answer but would go three and out. On the ensuing punt, K Vince Salvati (El Camino Real HS) would bobble the snap leading to a turnover deep in Brahma territory. The Vikings would score two plays later to increase their lead to 19-7. The Brahma offense would stall once again forcing a punt, but this time it was successful. Long Beach would take the good field position from the punt and drive down the field, but the drive came to a screeching halt when Brahma FS Cody Berry intercepted a Viking pass returning it 73 yards for a touchdown. This left the Brahmas down by only 5, 19-14. But the diminished lead would last only so long as the Vikings would find the end zone one more time through the air, leaving the score 26-14 at the break.
The Brahmas would start the second half with the ball as they would try to reduce the deficit. They would do just that in a quick fashion as WR Jarrot Bell (Chatsworth HS) would set the offense up with good field position after his 43 yard kickoff return. The Brahmas would find the end zone three plays later as Rasmussen would find WR Joe Morris, who made a one handed catch, and continue on 37 yards for the touchdown. With a failed point after attempt, the score saw the Brahmas creeping back into the game, 26-20. However, the defense would not be able to hold allowing another quick touchdown, putting the Vikings up 32-20 after another unsuccessful two point conversion. The Brahma offense would not concede, scoring quickly on the ensuing drive as Rasmussen found Joe Morris once again on an 11 yard strike, making the score 32-27 with nine minutes left.
But, the scoring in the quarter was far from over, as the game would take on the persona of a Heavyweight boxing match. Both teams going blow for blow, as mistakes turned into quick scores. Up by only 5 again, the Vikings would strike on a long pass play thanks in part to a blown coverage, putting them up 40-27. After the Vikings scored, the Brahmas would lead the charge down the field as Rasmussen would sneak the ball past the goal line from 1 yard out capping a 15 play drive. Now, 40-33 after a blocked PAT, the Vikings would regain control and score one more time for good measure as the time ran out on the 3rd quarter.
Down 47-33 to start the 4th quarter, the Brahmas tried their best to attempt a comeback, but were not successful on their first drive. Both teams would exchange punts until the 11 minute mark which found the Brahmas on the scoring end through the air as Rasmussen found WR Talir Satterfield-Rowe for a 50 yard touchdown. With the extra point the Brahmas were once again within one score, 47-40. Nevertheless, the relief was once again momentary as the Vikings would answer back with another quick strike to take a 54-40 lead. With only 4 minutes remaining in the game, the Vikings would turn the ball over on downs at the Brahma 36 yard line offering up some hope. The offense would turn that turnover into seven more points as Rasmussen found favorite receiver Joe Morris one more time from 61 yards out. Down by a touchdown, and only two minutes remaining, the Brahmas would get one more shot thanks in part to a blocked punt by Beau Sandland. Starting on their own 34 yard line, the Brahmas would have to drive the length of the field to tie the game and send it to overtime. The offense would record four first downs on the drive but would stall bringing up a 4th and 5 situation on the Long Beach 7 yard line with 47 seconds left in regulation. The fourth down pass from Rasmussen to RB Greg Wanamaker would fall short and the Vikings would take over on downs. After two kneel downs the game ended with Vikings coming out of the scrap victorious 54-47. Two players stuck out for the Brahmas on this day, QB Matt Rasmussen who was 23-38 for 382 yards and 6 TD’s (5 passing, 1 rushing), and WR Joe Morris who caught 7 balls for 200 yards and 3 TD’s. Defensively, Gerald Bowman paved the way with 8 tackles (2 for loss, 1 sack).
No matter what the final score was, the young Brahmas showed many signs of improvement, especially on offense. With the defense taking a back seat this week, the only thing left to do is get the whole team on the same page, with both the offense and defense firing on all cylinders at the same time. Knowing what it is that needs to be accomplished, the Brahmas can now put their rough non-conference past behind them and focus on the more important upcoming conference schedule. This week, the Brahmas (0-4) travel to West L.A. College to take on the Wildcats (1-3), one of the strongest American Pacific Conference teams this season. Both teams have experienced growing pains in their respective non-conference games, but are very evenly matched. On top of that, the games between the two programs for the past three years have been exhilaratingly close and high scoring. Last year the Brahmas won the game 42-38, in 2009 the Brahmas won an overtime game 62-55, and in 2008 West LA got the better half winning 50-37. This year should be no different, so get there early to enjoy a wild game. Hopefully the Brahmas have enough in the tank to turn it on when it matters most! The Brahmas have a title to defend! Kickoff is at 1 PM. Stay tuned for the details…
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