Football:
Talk about a signature victory for the Rand Holdren era.
In 2021, the Maranatha football program went 1-7 in his MHS head coaching debut.
Fast forward one year, and the Minutemen are the SGV area’s lone unbeaten program (11-0-1).
With that said, none of the first 10 victories in 2022 hold a candle to Friday night.
MHS, without their leading tackler, linebacker Carter Shupper, went head-to-head with a Jurupa Valley program that entered their D-13 quarterfinal showdown on a four-game win streak, and averaging 42 points over that stretch.
And despite a 19-point victory last week over Santa Rosa Academy in the playoff opener, Holdren wasn’t pleased with the way his program played.
The same could not be said about his feelings in last night’s back-and-forth showdown that ended in a 49-47 victory in overtime.
Miles O’Malley scored on the first possession of OT, and Holdren had the courage (or confidence) to go for two on the extra-point attempt, and the Minutemen got it.
Jurupa Valley would answer, as they did all night, but the Jags came up short on their 2-point attempt.
And that obviously set off a spirited celebration amongst the MHS players, coaches and their fans.
The hero of the night had to be sophomore running back, Miles O’Malley.
O’Malley caught a 14-yard TD pass from quarterback Michael Martin to give MHS a 14-7, first quarter lead, and he would later take a pass 82 yards for another TD late in the second quarter.
O’Malley scored on TD runs of 25 and 8 yards, the last of which, as mentioned, turned out to be the game winner.
O’Malley would get the football version of a hat trick after taking a kickoff 80 yards for a TD.
He finished with five TD’s and they came via rushing, receiving and special teams (kick return).
O’Malley carried the ball 16 times for 87 yards.
O’Malley also caught two passes for 94 yards and two TD’s.
Martin also had a huge night, throwing four TD passes.
Martin opened the scoring with a 29-yard TD pass to Sam Funchess.
His 14-yarder to O’Malley was followed by a 61-yard scoring strike to Connor Patterson.
Martin finished 12-of-23 for 285 yards, and that included four scores.
Martin also tallied 93 yards on 13 carries.
Patterson has quietly become an unsung hero for the undefeated MHS program.
Patterson had four receptions for 125 yards and a TD.
After his score on Friday, Patterson now has a team-best 12 receiving TD catches.
Funches finished the night with four receptions for 47 yards and a score.
Up next: Maranatha will travel to San Gabriel next Friday with a spot in the D-13 finals at stake.
The Matadors (9-3) defeated Miller, 22-17, in Fontana.
Quotable:
Maranatha coach, Rand Holdren: “I am so proud of the heart we showed all night. This game went back and forth from the starting kickoff, and we hung in every step of the way. The stands were packed, the crowd was electric, and it was an epic overtime win tonight. I can’t say enough about how proud of these kids I am. They earned it tonight and this was a huge step forward for Maranatha football.”
Box Score:
JV: 7-14-13-7-6-(47)
M: 14-14-6-7-8-(49)
Maranatha scoring:
M: Sam Funchess 29 pass from Michael Martin (Owen Meleka kick)
M: Miles O’Malley 14 pass from Michael Martin (Owen Meleka kick)
M: Connor Patterson 61 pass from Michael Martin (Owen Meleka kick)
M: Miles O’Malley 82 pass from Michael Martin (Owen Meleka kick)
M: Miles O’Malley 80 run (kick blocked)
M: Miles O’Malley 25 run (Owen Meleka kick)
M: Miles O’Malley 8 run (2-point conversion good)
Records: Jurupa Valley (6-6); Maranatha (11-0-1)
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