No. 8 Rustlers escape San Bernardino Valley with narrow 20-17 win

SAN BERNARDINO – A 36-yard touchdown pass from Braden Siri to Nate Jimenez with 10:46 to play in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winner for No. 8 state-ranked Golden West College as the Rustlers had to rally to pull out a 20-17 National Central League victory at San Bernardino Valley College on Saturday.

GWC won its fifth straight game to improve to 6-1 overall. The Rustlers remain perfect in league play at 4-0 with just three games remaining on the regular-season schedule.

Coming off a 58-point outburst last week against rival Orange Coast, the Rustlers offense couldn't get much going against the Wolverines despite collecting 389 yards.

A slow first quarter finally saw scoring action late. Quarterback Parker Awad's 12-yard touchdown run at the 3:20 mark capped an 8-play, 70-yard drive to give Golden West a 7-0 advantage.

Moments later, SBVC took advantage of Awad's fumble inside his own end zone that resulted a game-tying touchdown recovery.

The two squads exchanged leads again in the second. GWC's Jad Othman knocked in a 31-yard field goal with 13:17 remaining in the half to regain the Rustlers' lead before the Wolverines responded with a 4-play, 45-yard TD scoring drive at the 9:20 mark to go back out in front 14-10, an advantage that they would take into halftime.

The Rustlers chipped away at the lead thanks to another field goal from Othman, this time from 33 yards, midway through the third.

SBVC got the three points back, opening the fourth quarter with a 27-yard field goal by Cronus Rodriguez to extend its lead to 4 points at 17-13.

But on the Rustlers' ensuing drive, Siri put together an 8-play, 74-yard drive with some big plays that would put them ahead for good.

On 3rd and 12 from his own 24, Siri connected with Jonathan Smith for a huge 13-yard pass for a first down. That was followed by a 12-yard run from Jae'Sean Pete. Two plays later, Siri hit Noah Burdick for a 12-yard reception on another third down to reset the chains and set up Jimenez' go-ahead grab.

Siri avoided pressure, found Jimenez and threw it up down the left side. Jimenez went up for the catch over the SBVC defensive back, avoided his tackle, and tip-toed his way near the out-of-bounds line before going in for the touchdown.

With still plenty of time on the clock, the Rustlers were able to use up over 7 minutes on their next drive before missing a field goal. An interception by Marquis Brown, his fourth of the season, with just under a minute to play sealed the victory for Golden West.

Brown led Golden West with 6 tackles and broke up a pass. Kaymen Su'E added 5 tackles.

On offense, Jimenez had a team-high 5 catches for 63 yards and the big touchdown. Pete ran 14 times for 44 yards. Awad threw for 121 yards (8 for 19) while Siri went 7 for 10 for 88 yards.

Golden West returns to action next Saturday (Oct. 28) when it hosts Long Beach City College in a 12 p.m. National Central League game.