Big Plays Lead To Big Win For Stags

CMS defeated visiting University of La Verne 44-14 on Saturday night with the help of several big plays. The Stags had 15 plays covering 10 or more yards in the game and scored on offense, defense and special teams.  CMS improved to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in SCIAC while La Verne fell to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in SCIAC.

The Stags got off to a strong start when Dan Picciotto (JR, Tigard, OR) intercepted a pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game.  This was the first of five turnovers the Stags defense forced on the night.  The Leopards second drive also ended in an interception as Brock Olson (JR, Lake Oswego, OR [pictured]) had the first of three picks in the game.  Olson became the fourth Stag to intercept three passes in one game and the first since 1985.

La Verne capped off their third drive with a bit of trickery as receiver Charles Lacy took a handoff and then threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Anthony Andre to tie the game at seven.  CMS responded immediately with a 12 play-58 yard drive concluded with a Mike Hirokawa (JR, Aiea, HI) one-yard touchdown run.  The Leos attempted a 30-yard field goal at the end of their fourth drive only to see it blocked by Andrew Scranton (SR, Upland).  Ashton Clarke (SR, Santa Rosa) scooped up the ball and ran 70 yards for a touchdown.

Olson intercepted his second pass on the next drive and CMS drove 62 yards in nine plays with D.J. Lillard (JR, Phoenix, AZ) punching it in from six yards out for a 28-7 lead.  The Stags stopped the Leos on fourth down on their next possession and drove the ball 60 yards in 13 plays.  David Dubinski (FR, Miami, FL) nailed a 30-yard field goal as the clock ran out in the first half.  CMS scored 24 points in the second quarter equalling the most points scored in a quarter in team history.

CMS forced two more turnovers in the second half and after Olson's third interception scored a touchdown on two rushes by Mike McNeece (JR, Benicia) to push the lead to 37-7.  After trading punts, La Verne scored their second touchdown of the night when Andre hit Jerome Chappelle with a 20-yard strike.  Two drives later, CMS capped off the scoring when Patrick Rooney (FR, Bellevue, WA) threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to David Pezzola (SR, Oakland) on the first attempt of his career.  The final score was setup when Olson blocked a La Verne punt at the Leo 18.

Lillard led the Stags with 77 yards rushing on 25 attempts.  Ryan Larsen (SR, Seymour, IN) completed 12 of 20 for 133 yards and Andrew Doyle (JR, Ojai) led the team with six catches for 95 yards.  Clarke and Blake Kos (SO, Santa Ana) led the defense with six tackles each.  The Stag defense had eight tackles for a loss in the game including four sacks.

CMS plays at home again next week as they host Cal Lutheran University on Saturday, October 18.  Game time is 1:00.