WEED – If you’re an impartial football fan, Saturday’s contest between the College of the Siskiyous Eagles and American River Beavers was about as fun and exciting as a football game could be. However, if you’re an Eagle fan, it must have seemed like déjà vu, as COS suffered its second straight heartbreaking loss in the final minute of play, 38-35.

The fun started late in the third quarter.

After the Beavers scored to up their lead to 28-16 with 2:43 left in the third quarter, it took the Eagles less than two minutes to get their comeback bid started. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, and the Eagles went to work with great field position on their own 45-yard-line.

On the first play of the drive, Patrick Lunney ripped off a 39-yard run to the Beaver 16. The Eagles went backwards six yards on their next two plays, before Josh Hudson connected with Alex Coleman for a 10-yard gain to the 12-yard-line, bringing up a fourth and six. Hudson again went to Coleman, this time for a touchdown. The PAT failed, but the Eagles had narrowed the game to six points, at 28-22, with 55 seconds left in the third quarter.

On its next possession, American River added a 37-yard field goal to push its lead to 31-22, with 10:39 left in the game.

The Eagles started their second drive of the fourth quarter from their own 10-yard-line. The Eagles methodically worked their way to the 47, using a mix of Lunney runs and Hudson passes. From there, Hudson found Zach Young, who broke a tackle and raced 53 yards to the end zone. Aaron Sinnott added the PAT, bringing the Eagles to within two points, 31-29, with 5:13 on the clock.

The Beavers started at their own 35, after the Eagle kickoff. On the third play of the series, American River completed a pass for an apparent first down, but Eagle Jasen Meyers stripped the ball. Jamal Pannell scooped up the bouncing pigskin and bolted 38 yards to the Beaver 17-yard-line.

The Eagle plan of attack was simple; give the ball to Lunney. Lunney had runs of seven, four, four, and two yards to the end zone, putting the Eagles up 35-31. COS’ 2-point conversion attempt failed. The Eagles led, but there was still 2:11 left to play. As it turned out, the Eagles scored 17 seconds too soon.

The Beavers returned the COS kickoff 30 yards to their own 49. On second and 10, Matt Enyart sacked Beaver gunslinger Jared Gavard for a 4-yard loss. Donovan Cunningham broke up the third down pass attempt. On fourth and 14, Gavard completed a pass to Ladaun Hudson for 20 yards to the Eagle 35. Gavard completed his next two passes for first downs, as well, leading to a first and goal from the COS 10-yard-line, with less than a minute to play

On first down, the Beavers picked up four yards on a pass to the six-yard-line. The next two pass attempts were incomplete. Faced with a fourth and six, and the game coming down to one play, the Beavers called time out. The clock showed 21 seconds.

When play resumed, Gavard found Terrence McGee all alone, enjoying a latte and pastry, in the end zone for the game-winning score. The PAT was good, giving the Beavers a 38-35 lead. There were 17 ticks left to play.

COS started its final possession on its 13-yard-line. After moving to the 21, Hudson completed a pass to Jerrell Young, as time expired. The completed pass started the famous run till you can’t; pitch back to whomever; run some more; pitch back again; where-the-bleep-is-the-band-when-you-need-them play.

The result was a 9-yard gain and the end of the game, with American River winning 38-35.

For the Eagles, Patrick Lunney rushed for 217 yards and three TDs, his third 200 yard effort of the season. Josh Hudson was 18/29 for 276 yards and two TDs. He was also picked off twice. Zach Young had five catches for 122 yards and a TD. Alex Coleman had a TD, with five catches for 47 yards.

Defensively, D’Andre Dearmon had 6.5 tackles. Jordan Thomas had six tackles, including one for a loss. Jamal Pannell had 5.5.

The Eagles (1-2, 5-4) travel to Ukiah to play Mendocino (2-1, 5-4) in their final regular season game, on Saturday, November 14.