Feather River College football used two blocked punts and two late touchdown drives to complete a thrilling 38–36 comeback victory over Los Medanos College on Saturday afternoon in Quincy.
Trailing 28–13 early in the fourth quarter, the Golden Eagles scored 25 points over the final 12:29 to turn a 15-point deficit into one of their most dramatic victories of the season.
Feather River opened the scoring when sophomore quarterback Kayden Leaf (Red Bluff, California) connected with Marcellus Clay (Boise, Idaho), for a 31-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.
Los Medanos responded with two second-quarter touchdowns, while Donovan Damiano (Spokane, Washington), converted a 12-yard field goal to send the Golden Eagles into halftime trailing 14–10.
The Mustangs extended their advantage to 21–10 during the third quarter. Damiano answered with a 23-yard field goal, but another Los Medanos touchdown early in the fourth pushed the deficit to 28–13.
That was when Feather River’s comeback began.
Leaf found Jamariyen Farmer (Memphis, Tennessee), for a 39-yard touchdown with 12:29 remaining. Clay then connected with Leaf on the two-point conversion, pulling the Golden Eagles within 28–21.
Less than three minutes later, the Feather River special teams unit broke through to block a Los Medanos punt. The ball rolled through the end zone for a safety, cutting the Mustangs’ lead to 28–23.
After receiving the ensuing free kick, Feather River drove 52 yards and took its first lead of the second half on a one-yard touchdown run by Leaf.
Los Medanos answered with a 25-yard touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion to move back in front, 36–29, with 5:02 remaining.
The Golden Eagles responded immediately. Leaf directed a six-play, 34-yard drive and scored on a 12-yard run with 2:46 left. Damiano converted the extra point to tie the game at 36.
Feather River’s special teams unit then delivered the decisive play. With 1:55 remaining, the Golden Eagles blocked another Los Medanos punt, resulting in yet another safety and thus giving Feather River the 38–36 lead and completing the comeback.
Leaf completed 12 of 18 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns while adding 49 rushing yards and two more scores. He accounted for all four Feather River touchdowns and caught the fourth-quarter two-point conversion.
Clay finished with six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. He also provided excellent field position throughout the afternoon with 149 yards on four kickoff returns.
Farmer recorded three receptions for 109 yards, including the 39-yard touchdown that sparked the fourth-quarter rally. He added 24 yards on two kickoff returns.
Damiano contributed eight points, converting field goals from 12 and 23 yards along with two extra points.
Feather River finished with 365 yards of offense, including 230 through the air. The Golden Eagles converted seven of their 12 third-down opportunities and scored on five of their six trips into the red zone.
View the Photo Gallery
Photos from Saturday’s victory are available in the Feather River–Los Medanos game gallery.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles return to the road Saturday, October 31, to face Chabot College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Mt. Eden High School.
Additional information is available on the Feather River football schedule.
