JC football: Rossi-led Fresno City rallies for OT win over Sierra

Down 14 points in the fourth quarter, Fresno City College quarterback Christian Rossi didn’t want his team to give up.

He certainly refused.

Rossi passed for 392 yards and five touchdowns, running for a score before delivering the game-winner in overtime on a 7-yard pass to Rashaan Miller, in a 42-41 victory over Sierra in a nonconference game Saturday at Ratcliffe Stadium.

The extra point decided it, after Sierra had scored first only to have its PAT blocked.

“It was a great team win,” said Rossi, whose Rams improved to 2-0. “Our team showed that we’re not going to quit when we’re down. Our passing game was hot tonight, so we stayed with it. Receivers were running great routes and making plays after the catch. All-around good team win.”

Rossi’s 32 completions set a school single-game record. Doug Gaynor had 29 in 1982.

The Wolverines (0-2) fell victim to an opposition rally for a second straight week. Last week, City College of San Francisco, Fresno City’s opponent next Saturday, scored 16 unanswered points in a 25-24 victory over Sierra.

For Rams coach Tony Caviglia, this was a game where he just knew it would come down to one possession – and he’s happy he has Rossi on his side.

“Amazing,” Caviglia said of his sophomore quarterback, who is being recruited by the University of Utah. “That was a very good foootball team. Our kids never quit. Our guys never felt like they were going to lose that ballgame.”

Darius Green caught a 6-yard pass from Rossi with 9:33 remaining. Rossi scored on a 1-yard run with 28 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

After Romello Bentley’s 6-yard reception from Kyle Cota gave Sierra a 41-35 lead, Craig Williams Jr. and Titus Charles blocked the extra point.

“I just got to thank the Lord for the day first and foremost,” Green said. “Secondly, I’m so proud of my team because we worked so hard to get that win. We really did what we needed to get the win, and I can’t be upset with a win.”

The game and season were dedicated to Deondre Howard, the Fresno City football and baseball standout who was slain Aug. 29. A moment of silence was observed.

“We knew coming in it was going to be a tough game,” said wide receiver Bryant Fisher, who had three receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown to go with 57 rushing yards. “We had a great week of practice and were prepared to play. A few mistakes put us in a hole, but we never lost hope. We had to win this game, not just for us, but for ‘Day Day’ watching over us.”

▪ Reedley 30, San Jose City 18: Austin Bray passed for two scores, leading the Tigers to a 2-0 start.

▪ Sequoias 53, Feather River 21: Jeremiah Johnson and Devon Calhoun each ran for two touchdowns as the Giants improved to 2-0.

▪ Contra Costa defeated West Hills 24-3. The Falcons dropped to 1-1.

This story was originally published September 13, 2015 at 11:13 AM with the headline "JC football: Rossi-led Fresno City rallies for OT win over Sierra."