SELMA – In a way, it’s fitting that a final kick between the goalpost uprights determined the outcome of Selma’s epic clash with Sierra Pacific.
On Homecoming Night, a boot off the right foot of Bears’ kicker Alexis Pacheco concluded an epic, triple overtime thriller against the Golden Bears, 23-20 at Staley Stadium on Oct. 17.
Selma improves to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in the competitive Tri-County-Sequoia League. Sierra Pacific drops to 3-4 overall, and remains winless in league play. The Golden Bears have also lost their last three games in a row in a last season slide.
Selma jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead following junior quarterback Adam Soria’s 8 play, 70 yard opening drive. After the Bears stopped Sierra Pacific in the Red Zone on their opening drive, Soria countered by leading another scoring drive of 79 yards. He managed to find the end zone three times for the Bears.
Selma decided to ground and pound Sierra Pacific with 54 running plays, fueled by the tandem of Noah Torres and Andreas Luna. Torres chewed up some tough yards by rushing for 79 yards on 20 carries. And Luna displayed his ability to break free for the big gains, rushing for 58 yards on just 9 carries.
The Golden Bears let a golden opportunity to spoil Selma’s homecoming slip through their paws. Sierra Pacific countered the Bears’ touchdown in the second OT with one of their own. But a botched extra point prevented them from winning the game.
Selma has now won three of the last four contests with Sierra Pacific by a field goal. The only exception is a 22-14 victory last Oct. 24 on the Golden Bears home turf.
The Bears will try to keep the victory train on the tracks when they play Exeter on Oct. 24, and then, Selma concludes the regular season by hosting Kingsburg on Halloween.