Galloping Gauchos bring homecoming defeat

Stephen Peck
Mesa Legend

mcc-mens-football-playerMesa Community College Homecoming ended with a bang at John D. Riggs Stadium Glendale Community College Gauchos were the opponent for Mesa Community College (MCC) at the Homecoming game. MCC lead the game through halftime and then something happened… turnovers. The Gauchos would take the game over in the third quarter and never look back.

The Thunderbirds blocked a Gaucho punt, 10 minutes into the game, and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. In the same time frame, the Thunderbirds would tack on a field goal to give them a 10-0 lead over the Gauchos. Cornerback, No. 3, Kam Prewitt also had an interception in the first 10 minutes. Both the Thunderbirds and the Gauchos would add another touchdown to the scoreboard before entering the locker rooms at halftime.

The score would be 17-7 Thunderbirds at the beginning of the third quarter of the homecoming game.  The third quarter is the mounting point for Glendale Community College (GCC). GCC would put up 14 points to the seven of Mesa. TJ Roberts, No. 5, would make a spectacular run and bring the T-Birds to the 11-yard line. Mesa would not capitalize on this and miss a short field goal.  The Gauchos would take the lead in just under three minutes into the fourth quarter, 24-28.

Gaucho QB, Akil Abdullah, No. 5, would rush for the final points of the game, 24-35.  Abudullah was the thorn in the Thunderbirds wing. He was 16-32 passing, while MCC’s Christian Lopez, No. 7, went 17-41 Now while the sheet looks like Lopez would be the better QB, Abdullah would be better because he rushed for three of the Gaucho’s touchdowns.  The Thunderbirds should have won the Homecoming game.

They had more total offense, passing and rushing. Lopez’s three interceptions did not help the team. Mesa gave the Gauchos a sendoff of bombs bursting in air, fireworks. The Fighting Artichokes of Scottsdale Community College are next for the Thunderbirds at John D. Riggs Stadium, after the bye week.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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