CALIFORNIA, Mo. - The California Pintos survived a scare from the Southern Boone Eagles, holding on for a 20-12 win to push their winning streak to four games.
Southern Boone got on the board first in the opening quarter after a California fumble set the Eagles up on the Pintos' 20-yard line. It took four plays for Laron Wallace to punch it in from the 4-yard line to give Southern Boone the 6-0 lead after a missed extra point.
After California went three-and-out, on its next drive the Pintos marched 88 yards on 10 plays for the score. Sophomore quarterback Jacob Wolken found senior Landon Mouse for the 20-yard touchdown. Mouse broke a couple of tackles as he pushed the ball across the goal line in the final minutes of the first quarter.
The touchdown tied the game at 6 after a failed 2-point conversion. That was the score at the half.
On their opening drive of the third quarter, the Pintos moved the ball down the field with gains of 25, 12 and 31 yards. Wolken connected with Mouse for a 7-yard score and the 13-6 lead.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Eagles looked poised to tie the game. But after scoring a touchdown, Southern Boone decided to go for the lead on a 2-point conversion. Mouse came up from his safety position to make the stop at the 1-yard line and that allowed the Pintos to keep the 13-12 advantage.
California extended the lead on its next drive, converting a fourth-and-seven near midfield for a 49-yard touchdown. Senior Josh Woodruff received the pitch from Wolken, then Woodruff threw it deep for senior Ethan Hodges for the score and the 20-12 lead.
Mouse saved the game on Southern Boone's next possession. Tanner Smith broke free for a 33-yard reception, but Mouse stripped the ball as he was making the tackle, and Wolken recovered the football to ice the game.
California (4-2, 4-0 Tri-County Conference) will travel to Blair Oaks for a 7 p.m. game Friday. Southern Boone (3-3, 1-3) will host Warsaw next Friday.
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