Stags Pull Off The Thriller At Whittier

In what can be considered one of the Stags' most thrilling victories in recent memory, CMS edged the Poets of Whittier, 21-17, on a game winning TD with 15 seconds left on the clock.  What looked to be an upset in the making, Whittier scored a go-ahead touchdown on their home field with 26 seconds left, giving them a margin of 17-14.  But these relentless Stags would not quit.  On what could be argued as one of the most remarkable catches in Stag football history, Jacob Tobis (WR, JR, Mercer Island, WA) leaped over a Poet defender to snatch the ball out of the air with one hand that was about two feet off the ground. The 46-yard reception set up the game-winning touchdown.

The first three quarters played out as a defensive battle.  The Poets were only able to muster 18 yards on their first possession after a Stag fumble to settle for a 32-yard field goal to start the scoring at 3-0.  Both defenses would be stingy for the rest of the first quarter as neither offense could find pay dirt.  It wasn't until 6:28 left in the second quarter that the Stag offense would strike.  Andy Segal (RB, SO, Santa Barbara) would make some nifty moves and shift his way to daylight for a daunting 17-yard scamper to the endzone.  That run capped off an impressive 9-play, 80 yard drive that would put the Stags up 7-3.  It would be that score that remained through the rest of the half and through the third quarter.

In what would turn out to be arguably one of the most exciting quarters in college football, the fourth quarter did not open well for the Stags.  A CMS fumble deep in their own territory would be recovered by the Poets, and as the defense tried their mightiest to stand their ground, the Poets were able to punch it in from one yard out with 7:00 left in the game to go up 10-7.  But just as these Stags have fought all year, they would not lay down in this contest.  Senior playmaker Mikey Hirokawa (WR, SR, Aiea, HI) would take the ensuing kickoff 32 yards into Whittier territory.  A personal foul by the Poets would mark the ball on the 31 yard line.  The Stags would turn to their workhorses up front to lead way.  It would be the five offensive lineman that would clear the way for the Stag ball carriers, churning the final 31 yards to the endzone.  Patrick Rooney (QB, SO, Bellevue, WA [picture left]) would cap off the 9-play, 31 yard drive with a three yard TD push.  With only 2:40 left on the clock and a 14-10 lead, the fireworks were only beginning.

The defense had been the stronghold of this Stag team all year long and was looking to close this one out.  But the aggressive defense was penetrated by a screen play by the Poets that got them into scoring territory.  With the ball on the 14, the defense stuffed the Poets, forcing them into a fourth and goal.  In some miraculous fashion, the Whittier quarterback found a receiver hiding out in the corner of the endzone and was able to deliver the ball to him with two defenders converging.  The Poets had gone up 17-14.  The home crowd was going crazy.  The Poets were celebrating.  The Stags seemed in disbelief.  The clock showed 00:34.

But one thing was for certain, the 2009 Stags do not know how to give up.  As anticipated, the Poets squibbed the kickoff to prevent a big return.  Corey Bickler (RB, FR, Salem, OR) picked up the ball and made a nice return to the CMS 48.  With 26 seconds showing on the clock and only about 25 yards to get into field goal range, the Stags went for the gusto. As Rooney rolled out right, he spotted Tobis racing downfield.  He heaved it about 50 yards in the air hoping for the best.  And the best came down with it.  In what looked like a definite incompletion on a well defended play, Tobis leaped over the defender's back, and with one hand, snatched the ball before it was able to hit the ground.  The Stags were down to the six yard line and after a called timeout lined up on the ball with victory in sight.  Rooney dropped back and hit Nick Marineau (WR, SR, Beaverton, OR) in the front corner of the endzone for the winning touchdown.  The Stags had sealed the game at 21-17.  The home crowd was silent.  The Stags were celebrating.  The Poets were in shock.  The clock showed 00:15.  The Poets tried to lateral the ensuing kickoff but to no avail.  The clock ran out.  Stags win!

Rooney was awarded the offensive player of the game.  Adam Morris (LB, JR, Honolulu, HI) led the defensive charge and received the defensive player of the game.  And for his big plays on kickoff returns, Hirokawa garnered the award of special teams player of the game.  The Stags are now 4-4 and look to finish a winning season versus rival Pomona-Pitzer in the Homecoming finale on Zinda Field at 1 pm.