MidValleySports.Com

Maranatha’s Xavius Boone makes the stretch.

By Saile Ramirez

(Pasadena)- Maranatha plagued by sloppy tackling that allowed two kick return scores fell to Antelope Valley 29-15 Friday night at home.

AV’s Daniel Bernard led the charge with 153 total yards and two touchdowns.

“If you’re not tackling well, particularly on special teams, we gave up two kickoffs to the house and that’s the difference in the game,” said Minutemen HC Pete Karavedas.

Senior quarterback Andrew Elffers scored late in the game to bring Maranatha within a touchdown, but on the ensuing kickoff Bernard scored on a 75-yard return to ice the game for the Antelopes.

Elffers ended the night 17 of 35 for 204 yards.

The Minutemen began the game with a huge kickoff return by Omar Younger setting themselves up with great field position. Elffers and company stalled in the red zone and settled for a 17-yard field goal by Reid Pike.

Early in the second quarter Bernard capped off a nine play drive with a one-yard touchdown run giving the Antelopes a 6-3 lead.

After trading punts, AV’s quarterback Cameron French added to his team’s lead with a big 34-yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed. Valley lead 12-3 with 1:21 left in the half.

After another Maranatha punt the Antelopes found themselves knocking on the door seconds before the half. Third and ten, on the Minutemen 29 yard-line, French dropped back and was picked off by Daniel Rasmussen who returned it to mid field. A couple AV personal fouls put Maranatha 37 yards away from paydirt  with six second left.

Elffers, while rolling to create time, connected on a huge touchdown pass with his receiver Pike. Antelopes led at half 12-9.

On the second half opening kickoff, Antelope Valley return man Marcel Jones scored on 97-yard return extending the lead 19-9. The Antelopes added a field goal early in the fourth to extend the lead to 22-9.