Rio Mesa Rallies With 22 Seconds Left, 34-30

Rio Mesa defeated Dos Pueblos, 34-30, Friday night after quarterback Steve Carolan connected with John Northcutt on a six-yard pass with 22 seconds left in the game.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, with Rio Mesa trailing, 30-27, Darren Romano intercepted Dos Pueblos quarterback Gary Trent to set up the game-winning touchdown pass.

“I really think that this game has a tremendous amount of luck,” Rio Mesa Coach John Reardon said. “From a spectator’s standpoint, it was an excellent game. But from a coaching standpoint, I don’t think we played well at all.”

On the first play of the game, Carolan fumbled and it was recovered by Dos Pueblos tackle Ken Esperza, who ran it back six yards for a touchdown.

On the Spartans’ next possession, Carolan guided Rio Mesa 69 yards and fullback Leonard Lee bulled his way into the end zone from the one.

Dos Pueblos took a 23-13 lead in the third quarter and seemed to have the game in control, but Rio Mesa defensive end Mark Wood blocked a punt to set up a 12-yard scoring run by teammate Manuel Sanchez.

The win gives Rio Mesa a 7-2-1 overall record and a 4-2 record in the Channel League. Dos Pueblos fell to 4-5, 3-3.

DP--Esperza 6 fumble recovery (kick failed)

RM--Lee 1 run (Gamboa kick)

DP--FG Lewis 31

RM--Lee 1 run (pass failed)

DP--Bruice 4 run (Lewis kick)

DP--Smith 4 pass from Trent (Lewis kick)

RM--Sanchez 12 run (Gamboa kick)

RM--Romano 34 interception return (Gamboa kick)

DP--Theurer 38 pass from Trent (Lewis kick)

RM--Northcutt 10 pass from Carolan (Gamboa kick)