Monteon shines for MC football in defeat

REEDLEY -- Rudy Monteon made the most of his first career start.

The former Merced High star showed off his dual-threat ability passing for 306 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 60 yards and another score. Most importantly for Merced College, he did it all without turning the ball over.

The only thing Monteon failed to accomplish on Saturday afternoon at Sal Gonzalez Field was to get the win.

Reedley's Sean Stell Jr. was just a little better, passing for 387 yards and six touchdowns as the Blue Devil defense couldn't get a stop when they needed it in a 52-38 Golden Gate Conference loss.

Things started pretty evenly with Monteon tossing touchdown passes to Tyrell Vinson (9 catches for 164 yards) and Iman Kelly (7-67). The Kelly grab just before the half cut the Tigers' lead to 17-14 at intermission.

Sophomore linebacker Darius Lamar forced a fumble on Reedley's opening possession of the second half. Monteon cashed it in, connecting with Carlos Smith on a 4-yard strike to give MC a 21-17 lead.

It would be the Blue Devils' (0-2 GGC, 2-6) only lead of the game.

Led by Stell, Reedley (1-0 GGC, 2-5) would score on six of its final seven possessions.

The MC offense did its best to keep things close.

Monteon got the Blue Devils back within a score twice in the fourth quarter, hitting Travis Marion with a 22-yard TD pass and then rushing for a 15-yard score, but they never had a chance to tie it up.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Menlo College 3, UC Merced 2 (OT)

Desiree Cole helped complete a second-half comeback for UC Merced (5-3, 2-2 California Pacific Conference), roofing the Menlo College goalkeeper with a long shot in the 86th minute to tie the game 2-2 and force overtime.

Menlo would get the last laugh, however, as Natalie Ingram scored the game-winner in overtime.