LONG BEACH – Sophomore Jonathan Watson ran in a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime, to help lead Long Beach City College to a 23-17 win over visiting Bakersfield College on Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The National Northern League win improved the Vikings to 2-1 and keeps them tied on top of the standings with Bakersfield and College of the Canyons. LBCC is now 5-3 overall.
On Sophomore Night in Long Beach, the Vikings totaled 436 yards of offense but had trouble getting the ball in the end zone.
Watson ran for 119 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that capped a 7-play, 73-yard drive for the Vikings. Mario De la Torre's PAT kick was good to tie the game up 10-10 at the 7:15 mark.
Bakersfield (4-4) would take the lead early in the fourth thanks to a big 50-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Joseph Campbell to Jihad Marks with 12:15 to go.
LBCC missed a field goal and was forced to punt on its next two drives. But after the Viking defense forced a three-and-out on the Renegades' ensuing drive, Long Beach got the ball back with 2:34 left in regulation at its own 25-yard line.
Along the drive, LBCC quarterback Will Madonna connected with Ashun (Emil) Brown for a first down on 4th-and-1. Moments later on 3rd-and-1, Watson broke off a 29-yard run to get inside the Bakersfield red-zone.
Three plays later, Long Beach faced another 4th-and-1. With time winding down, Madonna hit Brown for the clutch three-yard TD with 8 seconds left to tie it up once again and send the game into overtime.
The Long Beach defense came up big in stopping Bakersfield on its OT possession. Corey Martin and Luke Toomalatai combined for back-to-back sacks of Campbell to push the Renegades back. Tristin Skimmer missed a 41-yard field goal attempt, setting up the Vikings to win on their possession.
The Vikings wasted little time as Watson broke free from 25 yards out on their first play to secure the victory.
IT'S A WALK OFF!
— Matt Simon (@MattDSimon) October 30, 2022
First play that dude J Watson breaks free for the 25-yard touchdown and that's game!
LBCC mounts the comeback to defeat Bakersfield, 23-17. @562sports pic.twitter.com/GMAJj2PaRW
Madonna completed 29 of 42 passes for 297 yards with 1 touchdown and no interceptions. Kyle Miller led receivers with 116 yards on 4 receptions while Trennel Ridgely had 8 catches for 71 yards and Brown hauled in 9 receptions for 61 yards.
On defense, Austin Bressler led LBCC with 11 tackles and had a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Martin totaled 2 sacks and 6 tackles while Jamarlo Campbell totaled 8 tackles.
Just two games remain for the Vikings as they look to capture a Northern League title. They'll make the long drive to play at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria next Saturday (Nov. 5) at 1 p.m. and close out the regular season at Canyons on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.