Pride Score 24 unanswered points, Win 30-22

This was a game where things started out like they have all season for the pride, but ended in a very different manner. The Pride would fall behind in the first half 22-6 after the same miscues that have plagued them all season would rear its ugly head. Poor execution on punt coverage, turnovers in the red zone, and miscommunication in the secondary would lead to all 3 first half scores for the 49ers. The Pride's only lone score in the first twenty-five minutes of play would come on another Allan Vargas pick six; his third interception run back for touchdown of the season.

But in the final five minutes of the half the Pride would start to put it all together and never look back. TJ Case would lead the Pride down the field on a 80 yard touchdown drive concluding with a strike to receiver Tre Henderson to cut the lead to 22-13 with two minutes left in the half. The Pride defense would get the ball back just a couple of plays later and kicker Sam Alton would hit his first field goal of the season to give the Pride all the momentum going into halftime, down just 22-16. 

The Defense would then take over in the second half. Another interception to the house by Safety Allan Vargas would put the Pride up 23-22 midway through the third quarter. Then in one of the plays of the year, Linebacker Cameron Kennedy would come on a blitz to hit the 49er QB, Defensive Najee Pierson would then tip the desperation pass up in the air, and finally defensive end Patrick Newman would catch the tip with one hand at mid field and race all the way to the end zone to increase the Pride lead to 30-22.

Then the offense and special teams would do something they have struggled to do in the past weeks; hold the lead. The Offense would get a few first downs in the fourth quarter, but on their final drive would drive the ball from their own five yard line to mid field to flip field positon. Then kicker/punter Sam Alton would execute a perfect coffin corner punt to pin the 49ers at their own five yard line with two minutes to play. Linebacker Cameron Kennedy would intercept the defenses fourth pass of the day with 20 seconds left to secure the Pride's first win since opening day. 

Coach Jackson stated "This was a much needed win. Our guys got knocked in the mouth early, but really stepped up with their backs against the wall. We never quit. That's the first sign of a winning organization. Defense did what they have done all year and that is make plays. But for our offense to score 10 points to end the first half was huge. And that final drive; to flip field positon late in the game and eat clock was big too. Even our special teams found a way to finish today too. Made a field goal, and that was a clutch punt at the end of the game. We did not play perfect, but we played as a team. We did what we had to do to get this win. We will celebrate on the way home, but we realize we have a lot of work to do. So it will be time to focus on the Reno Demolition right away."

Offensive Player of the Game: Center Cory Boyd

Defensive Players of the Game: Safety Allan Vargas and Defensive End Patrick Newman

Next Game: Home vs Reno Demolition - 3:30 PM - NOVATO HIGH SCHOOL