MCC falls in season finale as playoff matches are set
By: Warren Younger
MCC saw their regular season come to a close on a not-so-high note as they fell to Scottsdale Community College.
The game ended 58-29 as the T-Birds wrapped up their last head-to-head.
Coming into the game, the T-birds needed a win to have a shot at the top 4 bracket in the playoffs.
Scottsdale, who is ranked No. 6 in the nation, already clinched a playoff berth but was fighting for the number one seed.
The game started off well for MCC as they struck first in the games opening quarter with a 23 yard pass from quarterback Austin Apodaca to wide receiver Dusty Cook to put MCC in front 7-0.
Scottsdale wasted no time and answered back in less than two minutes with a score of their own which came on a 41 yard pass to wide receiver Zaquan Summers from their quarterback Michael Sanders, but missed the extra point, so MCC stayed ahead 7-6.
MCC failed to capitalize and SCC scored again to make the score 13-7 after the first quarter.
MCC was the first team to score in the second on a 77 yard drive which ended with a 2 yard touchdown pass from Apodaca to make the game 14-13.
MCC held off Scottsdale and scored again this time off a 23 yard field goal from kicker Austin Craver to put MCC ahead 17-13 with five minutes left in the half.
SCC wasted no time making a comeback as Sanders led Scottsdale on a nine play, 69 yard drive, which led to a touchdown, putting SCC ahead with two minutes left in the half.
Heartbreak happened on the next drive as Apodaca got picked off on Scottsdale’s one yard line and Clovis Campbell took the ball to the house for a 99 yard interception return putting SCC up 27-13 at the end of the half.
SCC took control in the third with two quick touchdowns to put them up 41-17,putting the game out of reach for the T-Birds.
The game went back and forth, MCC scored as time expired, but ultimately lost the game 58-29.
Apodaca finished the game with 338 yards passing and 3 touchdowns.
Tylar Eggers had 109 yards receiving and two touchdowns
Running back Dewitt Caswell had 102 yards on the ground.
The loss puts MCC’s final standing at 3-5, which is good enough for No. 6 in the conference.
The playoffs are now set with the top four teams competing in the championship bracket.
No. 4 Glendale will be going against No. 1 Arizona Western.
No. 3 Snow will be playing against No. 2 Scottsdale.
In the Consolation bracket, we have No. 9 Phoenix College taking on No. 8 Pima.
The winner of that game will be playing against No. 5 Eastern Arizona in the Semi-Finals.
In the other Semi-Final game, it’s No. 7 New Mexico Military vs the No. 6 MCC T-birds.
With a win,MCC will automaticly be put in the Consolation bracket finals.
The T-birds have already beat New Mexico two weeks ago on Homecoming night in a dramatic 4th quarter comeback.
Mesa will start off the postseason with a game against New Mexico Military at MCC on Nov. 1 at 1 p.m
