California of San Ramon quarterback Cameron Owen wasn’t having the best of nights throwing the football but when the game was on the line he made the plays with his feet. Owen ran in the game-winning score from 31 yards out with 1:03 remaining to get the Grizzlies (6-1) the 31-28 road win over Monte Vista of Danville (1-6).
After the Grizzlies’ defense stopped the Mustangs and forced a punt, California had just one timeout and started on its own 8-yard line with 1:59 remaining and trailing 28-24. It took just five plays to go the 92 yards for the score. Owen opened the drive with back to back runs of 16 and then 17 yards. Back-to-back runs by C.J. Cornwell along with a penalty would get the ball down to the Monte Vista 31-yard line and then on the next play Owen was off to the races six points while making several guys miss tackles. Owen also passed for a score and 167 yards.
Sophomore Noal Sol got the start for the Mustangs but senior Nikita Zamora replaced him after the opening drive and shined in Monte Vista’s near upset on homecoming night. Zamora passed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. Zamora found a wide open Erik Mensendiek midway through the fourth quarter for an 81-yard touchdown that gave the Mustangs a 28-24 lead and had the home crowd and band rocking the bleachers in excitement. A surprising go-to target on the night for Zamora was junior Eric Dopperpuhl, He had no catches on the season coming into the game, but caught eight passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
