Last season, the Cerritos College football team needed to win their final four National Conference games in order to earn a share of the championship and followed that with their first play-off win in school history. That sent them up against Mt. San Antonio College in the Southern California Championship game, where the Falcons were shut out for the first time in 241 games to end their bid for that ever-elusive state championship. Fast forward to the 2011 season and Cerritos started the season 0-2 and were 2-3 at the bye week. Only five straight wins would propel the team into the playoffs and another chance at the state title. The Falcons were able to win their five conference games and defeated Palomar College, 45-28 last week in the Southern California Football Association Bowl. All that meant was that Cerritos would have to face the top-seeded Mounties in the Southern California Championship game and one win away from playing for a state championship. The game is slated for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Mt. San Antonio.

 

    If the Falcons are to win the game, they know an all-around effort is needed on both sides of the ball. Offensively, sophomore quarterback Brandon Denker (North Torrance HS) is having a superb season, throwing for 2,171 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also using his mobility to rack up another 408 yards on the ground and seven more touchdowns. He has four receivers with 25 receptions or more on the year, and three that have over 500 receiving yards, with sophomore Lindsey Anderson (Serra HS) leading the team with 45 receptions for 556 yards and four scores. Sophomore tight end Clark Evans (Los Alamitos HS/University of Colorado HS) leads the team with nine touchdown receptions out of his 28 catches, with freshmen Robert Abeyta (Servite HS) and Garion Manning (Long Beach Wilson HS) also having strong seasons.

 

   The Mounties have four running backs that have run for over 500 yards, with Matthew Botello leading them with 621 yards and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Cameron Deen is having a remarkable season, throwing for 2,469 yards and 20 touchdowns, with Alonzo Aqwuenu his favorite target with 61 catches for 928 yards and 15 touchdowns. No other receiver has caught more than one touchdown.

 

    On defense, Mt. San Antonio is only allowing 19 points a game and rely on an aggressive secondary that has intercepted 17 passes on the year. The duo of Shelton Miles and Richard Thorpe have both picked off three passes, while 10 players have at least one interception. Thorpe also leads the team with 87 tackles, while Koliniasa Leota leads the team in tackles for loss (13) and quarterback sacks (six).

 

    Sophomore Dwan Gill (Carson HS) has picked off a team-high four passes this season, while he is also the team's punt and kickoff returner. The Falcons are just as aggressive on defense, attested to by their 20 quarterback sacks and 81 quarterback hurries on the year. Sophomore linebacker Donovan Amituanai (Long Beach Poly HS) leads the team with 63 tackles, while sophomore Alauna Finau (Dominguez HS) has posted 21 quarterback hurries and six sacks, which both lead the team.