Simi Valley battles back to have a chance at winning in the fourth quarter, but ends up with its first loss in the Marmonte League.
SIMI VALLEY – The Simi Valley football team came up just short of a comeback Thursday against visiting St. Bonaventure, falling 29-24 in a Marmonte League game, but not before it proved once again that it is a tough team to finish off.
On the second play of the third quarter, the Pioneers (5-3, 2-1 Marmonte League) fell two scores behind when DJ Doss broke multiple tackles while ripping off a 70-yard touchdown run.
Simi Valley’s Ethan Valko, #14, scores as St. Bonaventure’s David Montes, #3, can only watch during first-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
St. Bonaventure’s DJ Doss, #2, could not hang on to this pass as St. Bonaventure’s Walker Bullard, #28, defended on the play during second-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Simi Valley’s Jesse Sereno, #1, was called for a safety as St. Bonaventure’s Matt Perez, #37, drove the quarterback into the end zone during second-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Simi Valley’s Conner Calabrese, #11, tries to get out of the grasp of St. Bonaventure’s Matt Perez, #37, during first-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
St. Bonaventure’s Anthony Wolter, #11, gets pressure from Simi Valley’s Izak Simpson, #33, during second-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
St. Bonaventure’s DJ Doss, #2, and Jack Sloniker, #78, celebrate a touch down during second-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Simi Valley’s Drayden Rittersdorf, #4, is pushed out of bounds by St. Bonaventure’s Bryan Estrada, #8, during first-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
St. Bonaventure’s Anthony Wolter, #11, evades a tackle by Simi Valley’s Ethan Valko, #14, during first-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
St. Bonaventure’s Max Peters, #12, carries the ball after an interception as Simi Valley’s Gino Veon, #77, defends on the play during first-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
St. Bonaventure’s Koen Glover, #25, vaults for a touchdown beating out Simi Valley’s Dominic Demaio, #7, and Carlos Ferriero, #6, during first-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
St. Bonaventure’s Koen Glover, #25, carries the ball for a gain as Simi Valley’s Ethan Valko, #14 defends on the play during first-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Simi Valley’s Drayden Rittersdorf, #4, could now hold on to this pass as St. Bonaventure’s Bryan Estrada, #8, defends on the play during first-quarter action in a Marmonte League showdown at Simi Valley High on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Simi Valley responded with an impressive defensive performance the rest of the way, not allowing another point and giving the Pioneers a chance to win the game in the fourth.
“That’s what we do,” said Simi Valley coach Jim Benkert. “We never give up. We were down 21-0 in the third quarter in Westlake. We came back to win. We were down big, 21-0 to Yorba Linda in the first quarter. Came down and had the ball and with a chance to win. We didn’t but you know what, I’m so proud of these guys. They just battled.”
Simi Valley cut its deficit to five points midway through the third when running back Brice Hawkins found the end zone on a 15-yard run.
The junior gained 59 yards on 11 rushing attempts, and also had six catches for 73 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown.
“He’s a complete back,” said Benkert. “He gets the extra yardage. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and, you know, and like the rest of these guys, he competes on every down. He wants the ball every down.”
Pioneers senior quarterback Jesse Sereno went 21 of 30 passing for 182 yards. He threw a touchdown to Drayden Rittersdorf and kicker Jack Reed drilled a 38-yard field goal.
Simi Valley’s comeback attempt came up short when it couldn’t convert on a long fourth-down play in the Seraphs territory.
“We battled and we had our chances,” said Benkert. “I mean, we’re driving the football to win the game. A couple sacks, you know, caused a problem for us. We have to fix a few things, but I’m just so happy with the way we compete and how hard we play.”
Anthony Wolter led the way for the Seraphs (6-2, 2-0) as he threw for 175 yards and three scores. He tossed touchdowns to Doss, Koen Glover and Jack Cunningham.
Jayden Graham had an impressive showing in the secondary for the Pioneers, knocking down multiple passes and intercepting one.
Simi Valley’s next game is Oct. 20 at Oaks Christian, which is 2-0 in league entering Friday’s game against Westlake.
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