By Damien Guzman
The East Los Angeles College football team won a 46-43 nail biter Nov. 8 against Mt. San Jacinto College as time expired in a game that honored ELAC state football champions of 1974.
The Huskies, 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the American Mountain Conference, were down 43-39 with 47.5 seconds to go in the game with possession of the ball.
ELAC quarterback Joseph Garcia stepped up big as he threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jonathan Major game them a 46-43 lead with 14.7 seconds left in the game.
After a short kick off by the ELAC kicker Gustavo Ornelas, Mt. San Jacinto Linebacker Joe Robinson recovered the ball and returned it for 17 yards to the ELAC 45 yard line with 10 seconds left.
Mt. San Jacinto Quarterback Zach Chesser completed a 13-yard reception to receiver Jaron Johnson that left them on the Huskies’ 32-yard line with three seconds remaining.
Mt. San Jacinto Kicker Brett Cronenwett, who had already made a 30-yard field goal earlier in the game, missed a 49-yard field goal attempt to end the game.
The Huskies took the lead in the fourth quarter and San Jacinto bounced back to get-back the lead.
After the game, ELAC Head Coach Steve Mojarro referred to the tough loss the week before and mentioned how the team fought with each other and coaches.
“A little fighting didn’t break us,” Mojarro said.
He also said the team is a family, “We will fight and argue, but we must stick together and get through tough situations,” Mojarro said.
Early in the game a fan shouted out, “Come on Mojarro lets get this team going.” The Huskies had a rough start to the game finishing the first quarter down 19-7.
Two Mt. San Jacinto touchdowns were over 50 yards. With just under 13 minutes in the first quarter, Chesser threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to receiver Maurice Hardwick.
After Mt. San Jacinto’s defense stopped the Huskies after a failed drive, wide receiver Vanel Dossous returned a punt 52 yards for a score.
After a sloppy first quarter, the Huskies turned the game into an offensive onslaught and worked their way back into the game.
The ELAC sophomores played their last home game of their Husky football careers.
Before the game, Mojarro presented each sophomore football player as they ran through a tunnel of Husky players and cheerleaders in a Husky tradition.
The 1974 East Los Angeles College state championship football team was honored during.
The 1974 championship team included four NFL players, the most notable being Mike Davis who played nine years with two teams, the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers.
There were many fans of Mike Davis in the ELAC stands. As the ceremony to honor them was over he was approached by many for photos, autographs and handshakes.
Laura Aceves, of ELAC’s cross country team, was also honored for her many achievements and greatness in the sport as a Husky.
She was recognized by East Side Spirit and Pride for being one of the most decorated women’s athlete in ELAC history. She is a three-time All-American and was awarded Woman’s Cross Country Player of the Year by the South Coast Conference for the second year straight.
ELAC’s last game of this season is at San Bernardino Valley College (5-5, 3-3) on Saturday.