College football: SRJC overcomes miscues to beat De Anza 10-8

Despite losing six fumbles, Santa Rosa JC’s football team managed to hang on for a 10-8 victory against De Anza in Cupertino on Saturday afternoon.

The win improves the Bear Cubs’ record to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the Bay 6 Conference.

The final seconds of the game saw SRJC punter Jeff Andersen take a safety. The Bear Cubs then kicked off and the clock expired as a De Anza runner was tackled at midfield.

Five players accounted for the six fumbles with quarterback Vincent Jefferies having two. Also losing the ball were Brandon Singh, Mitch Hood, Jahmaree Desett and Zach Smith. Hood also threw an interception.

The offense was unable to put any points on the scoreboard against De Anza (2-6, 0-3).

Two Santa Rosa High grads - Ethan Rosselli and Andros Pedroza - accounted for all the Bear Cubs’ points.

Rosselli scored his team’s only touchdown when he intercepted a pass and ran it back 32 yards with 2:49 left in the first quarter.

Pedroza converted the extra point and later kicked a 38-yard field goal at 2:31 before halftime.

While the SRJC offense couldn’t get into the end zone, the defense didn’t allow a touchdown. The Dons scored on two field goals and the safety.

“Our defense played out of their minds,” coach Lenny Wagner said. “A play that comes to mind was Jaise Griffey stopping a De Anza receiver at the 1-yard line. Then, the defense held them to a field goal.”

Griffey, who was making his first start and filling in for injured defensive back Natu Hechzias, also recovered a De Anza fumble with 1:32 remaining at the SRJC 35-yard line.

Griffey and Rosselli led the Bear Cubs in tackles with seven apiece. Taylor Biaggi had five.

The Benjamin twins, Keilan and Keith, also excelled on defense. The Benjamins and Griffey played high school ball at El Cerrito.

The Dons gained only 29 yards on the ground. SRJC was slightly better with 60.

Santa Rosa had 305 passing yards compared to 264 for De Anza. Jefferies and Hood split quarterback duties for the Bear Cubs with the former completing 13 of 16 for 176 yards while the latter was 13 of 25 for 129.

Santa Rosa will be at Foothill next Saturday before completing the regular season at home against Diablo Valley on Nov. 14.