Bear Cubs can't maintain lead, fall to Fresno City College 35-21

Santa Rosa JC was unable to hold a third-quarter lead as Fresno City College rallied to win the State Center Bowl, ?35-21, on Saturday afternoon in Fresno.

The Bear Cubs led 21-14 until the Rams grabbed the advantage on a 21-yard run by Micah Ledezma with 7:55 remaining in the third quarter. Less than two minutes later, Fresno took the lead on a 9-yard pass from Christian Rossi to James Whitfield.

Santa Rosa was unable to answer and the Rams put the game away with a 57-yard pass from Rossi to Ray Martin in the fourth.

Bear Cubs quarterback Christian McAlvain had a mixed afternoon. The Windsor High grad completed 31 of 51 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns. However, he also threw four interceptions.

“Turnovers and blown coverages in the second half killed us,” coach Lenny Wagner said.

“We could’ve won this game by two or three scores.”

Fresno shut down the Santa Rosa running game. McAlvain was the leading rusher with 36 yards. The Bear Cubs ran for 89 yards compared with 200 for the Rams.

Logan Francavilla (Montgomery) scored the first Santa Rosa touchdown on a 3-yard run. Ethan Rosselli (Santa Rosa High) was the team’s leading tackler with six solos.

Santa Rosa finished the year 7-4.

“We’re making progress,” Wagner said. “Our record is better than last year (6-5) and I’m proud of what the guys and coaches achieved this season.”