Santa Rosa comeback falls short in loss to Cornerstone

Santa Rosa's Tim Marlow (88) breaks through a hole opened by guard Jag Wray (66) for a big gain Thursday night. Photo by Joe Quinn

By Joe Quinn, Correspondent

Santa Rosa Academy’s comeback fell short Thursday night when the Rangers football team lost a 36-30 decision to Cornerstone Christian in a game played at Rancho Christian High in Temecula.

The game was not settled until there was a minute left, when Santa Rosa turned the ball over
on downs in Crusader territory. Until then, it was a hard-fought contest. However, first-quarter errors by Santa Rosa handed Cornerstone a quick lead.

A fumble deep in Ranger territory on second down during Santa Rosa's first possession was recovered by Cornerstone and two plays later, the Crusaders found the end zone. It wasn't too much after that score that the Crusaders intercepted a Ranger pass and returned it all the way for another score and a 14-0 lead.

Santa Rosa set up its first score after a successful first-down pickup on fourth and 10. The first quarter closed with Cornerstone on top, 14-8.

At the half, the Crusaders were on top 21-8, but the Rangers came back in both the third quarter and late in the fourth and made a tight game of it despite another 15 points by Cornerstone. Tim Marlow and Jacob Munstock had big nights for the Rangers, with Munstock finding the end zone for two scores to keep things tight.

Marlow was often the go-to guy and kept the ball moving with his usual tough play and helped make it tough going for the Crusaders with key plays in several drives.

With 8:22 left in the game, the Crusaders stretched their lead to 36-22 and it looked as if that was going to be enough. But the Rangers would have none of that and closed it to 36-30 with 2:28 left in the game and were threatening again after a successful onside kick recovery.

Santa Rosa moved the ball but eventually turned it over on downs in Crusader territory with little more than a minute left to play. The Crusader QB took a knee and the game was history.

It was a big win for the Crusaders, who are playing their inaugural year of 11-man football. The Rangers never gave in and some key stops were made by the defense, particularly late in the game. The Rangers are now 1-2 this season.

Tackles by Joshua Barnebee (90) and Lucas Aguilar (22) late in the game was a key play for Santa Rosa. Photo by Joe Quinn

Jacob Munstock runs into the end zone for his first of two touchdowns. Photo by Joe Quinn