Pride Fall Short to Knights, 26-21

The Pride had their first road teast of the season and responded with seven turnovers in a 26-21 loss.

After a scoreless first quarter the Pride would give up back to back scores on a dropped punt by Punter Efren Del Toro in the endzone and on 20 yard touchdown pass after a Harry Taylor interception. The Pride would battle back in the last three minutes of the half going on a 60 yard touchdown drive capped off by a 25-yard touchdown run by RB Josh Del Pino to cut the score to 14-7 at the half.

The Knights would strike quickly in the second half on a 55-yard bomb to increase their lead to 20-6 (missed PAT). The Pride would drive all the way down to the nine yard line but would turn the ball over on another interception, this time in the endzone. Safety Kyle Whitman would return the favor though with the second interception of the dat for the Pride defense (the other picutred above by Safety Allan Vargas). The Pride would go on a 13 play drive and this time punch it in on a 2 yard touchdown pass from Taylor to receiver Dana Mills to put the pride down just 20-14 to start the 4th quarter.

But the Pride would start the last quarter with yet another special teams turnover on a muffed punt return to give the Knights possesion in the red zone. The Knights with take advantage and score on a 4th down touchdown pass to lead 26-14 with time running out. Both teams would trade three and outs and Safety Allan Vargas would make a another big play by blocking the Knights punt sending it 30 yards backwards. Linebacker Jason King would scoop the ball up in the end zone make it 26-21 with just three minutes left. 

The Defense would hold the knights to a three and out, but an injured Harry Taylor would throw is fourth interception of the day. The Pride defense would hold yet again and use their time outs to get one final chance with just one minute left. But back up quarterback Luis DeLeon would throw yet another interception for the Pride's seventh turnover of the day.

Here is what Coach Jackson has to say: "Well, you cannot expect to turn the ball over seven times an expect to win. This is a very physical team and we need to minimize the mental errors to beat a team like this. We did do some go things and we will learn from this. To have a chance to win on the final drive in a game where you turn it over seven times tell you a lot about the heart and the fight of this team." 

The Pride return home next Saturday night to take on the 0-1 Central Valley Bengals (Patterson, CA).

Offensive Player of the Game: RB - Josh Del Pino - 11 carries, 72 yards, 6.6 avg, 1 TD

Defensive Player of the Game: S - Allan Vargas - 6 tackles, 1 Int, 2 Pass Def, 1 Blocked Punt