In the American Bowl Championship, the 9-1 MSJC Eagles hosted the 10-0 Citrus College Owls. Both teams had an impressive year. Citrus ultimately took the victory in this matchup, as mistakes by the Eagles were too much to overcome; and the Owls took advantage of every opportunity.

The Owls started the game with the football and got deep into Eagle territory, but they were stopped at the Eagles’ one yard line on 4th down to keep the Owls from scoring. The Eagles’ first possession of the game, following the stop, looked promising, but they were ultimately stopped at midfield and were forced to punt. The Owls striked first with a touchdown on the following drive to give them a 7-0 lead over the Eagles. Both defenses would continue to keep the offenses at bay until the Eagles final possession of the first half. On that possession the Eagles went down the field and capped it off with a touchdown when Robert Coleman connected with Taylor Tosches on a 27 yard pass. This tied the game at 7 a piece.

The Eagles started off the 2nd half with the football and were working with a 7-7 tie. Things looked great as Robert Coleman completed a 41 yard pass to Taliq Brown. Unfortunately, penalties kept pinning the Eagles and ultimately killed the drive, forcing the Eagles to punt. The Owls, on their first drive of the 2nd half, completed a 65 yard pass down the field to give the Owls a 14-7 lead over the Eagles. The Eagles looked to respond but were held to a quick three and out, following a huge drop. The Eagles stopped the Owls from adding any additional damage on their next drive. The Eagles, on their drive, drove down the field and got into Owl territory, but a costly fumble that Owls recovered put an end to that Eagles drive. Unfortunately, the Owls turned that turnover into points, as they drove down the field and scored a touchdown. The Owls were now up 21-7 over the Eagles. The Eagles, now down by two touchdowns and in catch up mode, got into Owl territory. However, an interception ended that drive, thus giving the football back to the Owls who had a 21-7 lead. The Owls turned that turnover into points as well, scoring another touchdown that gave the Owls a 28-7 lead. On their next drive, the Eagles finally responded with a touchdown of their own to shrink the Owls lead 28-14. The Owls responded with a field goal after getting into Eagle territory, but they stopped in their tracks and got a 31-14 lead. On the kickoff, Eagles’ returner Matthew Caldera took it back 95 yards for an Eagles touchdown. The following two point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. This shrunk the Owls lead 31-20. The Eagles successfully recovered the onside kick but were stopped on the corresponding drive, officially ending the game at 31-20 Owls.

The Talon would like to thank the Eagles football team and staff for taking the time to talk with us and allowing us to take pictures. We are proud of this football team and all they have done this season. Even though they came up short in this game, they fought until the very end. Congrats on a great season.

American Championship Bowl Honors

MSJC’s Player Of The Game: Steven Bradshaw

Citrus’ Player Of The Game: Robert Vega

American Championship Bowl MVP: Adam Urena (Citrus)

MSJC Offense

Passing: Robert Coleman- 19-30, 290 Yards, 2-TD, 1-INT.

Rushing: Jaylen Magee- 10 Attempts, 56 Yards.

Receiving: Taliq Brown- 6 Receptions, 109 Yards.

Citrus Offense

Passing: Adam Urena- 19-28, 295 Yards, 3-TD.

Rushing: Elijah Finney- 12 Attempts, 56 Yards.

Receiving: Robert Vega- 4 Receptions, 118 Yards, 1-TD.

MSJC Defense

Steven Bradshaw- 8 Solo Tackles, 9 Assists.

Demond Young- 6 Solo Tackles, 1 Assist.

Tevita Halalilo- 1.5 TFL’s, 1 Solo Tackle, 4 Assists.

Citrus Defense

Joshua Garcia- 2 Sacks, 3 TFL’s, 3 Solo Tackles, 1 Assist.

Drew Merrill- 3 Solo Tackles, 6 Assists.

Darren Mercer- 1-INT, 2 Solo Tackles.