Santa Rosa Junior College knocks off top-ranked Butte 24-17 in overtime

Santa Rosa JC knocked off Butte, the nation’s No. 1 team, Saturday night at Bailey Field. The score was 24-17 in overtime.

The loss also snapped Butte’s 20-game winning streak.

The Roadrunners hadn’t lost since falling to De Anza College on Oct. 20, 2012, and are the defending CCCAA state champs.

On the first possession of overtime, Christian McAlvain (Windsor High) connected with Terrence Drew for a 5-yard touchdown. Cody Waterman, who had missed a field goal at the end of regulation that could have given the Bear Cubs the win, added the extra point.

Butte lost yardage on its first three plays, and on fourth down Natu Hezchias (Piner) intercepted a pass in the end zone to preserve the victory.

“This is one of the biggest wins for Santa Rosa since I’ve been around,” coach Lenny Wagner said. “To beat a team like Butte, No. 1 in the country, is awesome.”

Santa Rosa trailed only once and that was at 7-3 with 6:34 left until halftime.

The Bear Cubs took the lead back just before intermission when McAlvain hooked up with Damien Jones on a 25-yard scoring play.

Santa Rosa stretched the lead to 17-7 midway through the third quarter when Drew and McAlvain collaborated on a 48-yard pass play.

Butte then scored 10 straight, including a 28-yard field goal by J.J. Waterman - Cody Waterman’s brother - with 3:46 remaining that made it 17-17.

Santa Rosa outgained the visitors from Oroville by a wide margin. The Bear Cubs had 418 yards of offense compared to Butte’s 260.

Butte usually does its damage with a strong ground game. However, SRJC also won that battle, 111-103.

“Our defense came alive in the second half and overtime,” Wagner said. “To hold Butte to 103 rushing yards is an accomplishment.”

Vai Taito (Rancho Cotate) was outstanding for the Bear Cubs. He had 14 tackles, twice as many as any of his teammates. Cameron Drummond and Eddie Calderon had seven apiece.

McAlvain completed 19 of 41 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Drew caught five passes for 118 yards, including the two scores.

Logan Francavilla (Montgomery) was the home team’s leading rusher with 71 yards on 17 carries.

The Bear Cubs (2-0) have another non-conference game next Saturday at Sacramento CC.