Bulldogs win 2009 Nor Cal title

The Bulldogs captured their first northern California championship by defeating Reedley Community College, 31-20, Nov. 21 at CSM.The game featured the two best turnover margins in northern California, Reedley number one, and CSM number two.

However, CSM made more big plays defensively to win the turnover battle, three to two.

The Bulldogs scored the game's first points early, after CSM quarterback Matt Pelesasa completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to sophomore slot man, Will Frazier.

The lead wouldn't last long though - Reedley answered back on their next possession on a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jesse Lownsbury to Jeremy Butler.

After tying the game at ten on a 24-yard field goal by Juan Garcia with eleven minutes left in the second quarter, both teams' offenses died down until the Bulldogs last possession.

CSM went 60-yards on seven plays, ending in a 10-yard touchdown pass to freshman wideout John Webster.

Reedley wasted no time getting back into the game, scoring the only points of the third quarter on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Enadiahe Eguaze their fist possession of the half.

CSM struggled to run the ball throughout the game, gaining just 132-yards, a far cry from the 300 yards per game they had become accustomed to.

"I didn't think we'd have as much trouble as we did," Head Coach Bret Pollack said.

"They were running a scheme we hadn't seen since 2002."

Although they failed to pick up substantial yards on the ground, the Bulldogs continued, running 51 times.

"It's our team's philosophy to run the ball," Pollack said.

"I don't believe in leaving it. We ran for show, and passed for dough."

However, sticking with the running game proved beneficial for CSM.

Defenders were kept in the box, fighting the run, and giving the Bulldogs' passing game the ability to pick up crucial yards.

The game remained tied six minutes into the fourth quarter, until Webster beat single coverage and grabbed his second touchdown pass of the game from Pelesasa on a 19-yard fade route in the corner of the end zone.

After failing to score on their first two possessions of the quarter, Reedley was came within four points of the Bulldogs, converting on a 27-yard field goal by kicker Curtis O'Neill. CSM would be forced to punt on their ensuing possession, giving one of the league's top punt-returners another chance. Initially, the Bulldogs seemed to have him wrapped up, but he made three defenders miss along the sideline and broke free for 20-yards putting Reedley in good field position, with under two minutes to play.

With one more chance to score a touchdown and win the NorCal Championship, Reedley turned to Lownsbury to go 40 yards into the end zone, a manageable task for an offenser who had thrown for over 270-yards.

"They are very fast and athletic," Defensive Coordinator Tim Tulloch said. "They had a lot of different formations and personal groups,"

After picking up two first downs, Reedley needed less than 30 yards and had over a minute to score. Lownsbury dropped back on first and ten and threw a strike to his left, and was picked off by cornerback Ashanti Watson. Watson continued up field for 76 yards before reaching the end zone and clinching the championship.

One of Reedly's advantages is special teams - they have a kicker with enough leg to make 50-yard field goals, and a great return game.

"They have one of the best punt returner and kick returners in the state," Pollack said.

The Bulldogs will host the State Championship on Dec. 12. This is because Southern Cal's eight team playoff system will ultimately require their representative to play two more games- which could be an disadvantage or an advantage depending on how you look at it.

"You can look at it that (the southern California team) might be tired, or you could look at it and say we will be rusty, I don't think it will matter," said Pollack.