PHOTO GALLERY
CALIFORNIA, PA – A late touchdown run by
Khalil Owens (Germantown, Md./Northwest) drew visiting West Chester within a score, but 10th-ranked California, Pa., held on for a 26-24 victory at Adamson Stadium Saturday afternoon.
West Chester (1-1) could not overcome pivotal errors in its attempt to pull off a stunning upset of a top-10 opponent on the road. Cal (2-0) capitalized on a muffed punt return following its opening drive, and then blocked a punt in the third quarter that resulted in a safety to come away with the victory.
Owens ran in from four yards out with 1:42 left in the game. West Chester, with timeouts remaining, forced Cal into a 3-and-out. The Vulcans punted the ball back to the Golden Rams with 27 seconds remaining and the fall at WCU's 40-yard line. But, the visitors couldn't get into field goal range to take a shot at the win.
West Chester briefly took the lead midway through the third quarter when quarterback
Cooper Jordan (Downingtown, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) connected with wide receiver
Matt Iuvara (Haddon Heights, N.J./Haddon Heights) on a 19-yard TD pass giving the Golden Rams a 17-13 advantage. It was Iuvara's second TD catch in as many games.
Cal answered with the blocked bunt that resulted in a safety, a 7-yard TD run and a 35-yard field goal to take a 26-17 lead right before the 2-minute timeout. That's when West Chester traveled 77 yards on four plays in just 34 seconds to put themselves in position to go for the win. Jordan completed a 26-yard pass to
Ivan Thorpe (Philadelphia, Pa./Chestnut Hill Academy) on first down to get the Golden Rams out to midfield.
Jordan scrambled for 14 yards to the Cal 37 and then hit Iuvara with a 33-yard pass down to the Vulcan's four. That's when Owens scooted into the end zone making it 26-24.
Cal opened the scoring in the contest when they jumped on a WCU muffed punt return at WCU's 6-yard line. Bobbie Boyd later scored on a 1-yard plunge. Place-kicker Harry Radcliffe added a 37-yard field goal four minutes later pushing the hosts' lead to 10-0. West Chester kicker,
Rylan Zuk (Telford, Pa./Souderton) hit a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter to put the purple & gold on the board. But, Radcliffe, the PSAC West Specialist of the Week, hit a 28-yarder to restore the home team's 10-point lead.
Ali Barkley (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) found the end zone from three yards out just before halftime, and the Golden Rams went into the locker room trailing 13-10 and receiving the second half kickoff.
For the game, West Chester outgained its opponent for the second time in as many weeks limiting Cal to just 249 yards of total offense. The Vulcans managed only 82 yards through the air and threw an interception. West Chester had more first downs and outrushed Cal as well.
Senior tri-captain
Nate Desmond (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley) led the way defensively with 10 tackles and a pass breakup.
Connor Noble (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East) and
Johnny Pergine (Limerick, Pa./Archbishop Wood) each had eight stops to their credit.
Kaleb Brown (Reading, Pa./Wilson) finished with six tackles and intercepted a pass for the second straight week.
Iuvara finished with 115 yards receiving and a TD on four catches. Jordan rushed for 86 yards, and Barkley had 56 yards rushing and a score. Jordan also threw for 180 yards.
West Chester welcomes Seton Hill to town next Saturday for the team's home opener at 2 p.m.
