SHASTA LAKE, Calif. - The Simpson football team kicked off its 2026 season last night as they took on Southern Oregon in a non-conferance matchup to begin the season.
A 22-yard pitch and catch from
Ya'j Vance to
Makai James helped set up a five-yard scamper by Vance as he found the end zone to give Simpson the early 7-0 lead on a successful PAT try from
Tyler Hinrichs.
The Red Hawks' defense made a huge stand as they smothered 2024 All-American running back Gunner Yates on back-to-back rushing attempts to force a Raiders field goal. However, the Raiders took control of the second quarter as they outscored Simpson 17-0 to take the 17-7 lead into halftime. Montiel connected with Dawson Douglas for a 10-yard pass and Sean La Chapelle for a 25-yard touchdown pass.
The Red Hawks defense made a huge play to begin the second half as defensive back
James Webster intercepted a pass by Montiel over the middle of the field to set up the Red Hawks offense in Raiders territory. Simpson took advantage of the big play as D'Ante Benjamin pounded through the Raiders defense to find the endzone on a five-yard rushing touchdown.
The Raiders answered with a 72-yard scoring drive as Montiel scrambled on a third-and-goal play to find Milan Reilly in the end zone to make it a 23-14 game. The Red Hawks did not go quietly as they countered with a seven-play 75-yard drive with Vance completing a 21-yard pass to
Jakari Williams to move the sticks on third-and-long. A 19-yard burst on the ground by
Mikah Kindell set up a 25-yard touchdown pass from Vance to
Ivan Huerta to pull the Red Hawks within four.
A thrilling fourth quarter began with Montiel hurting the Red Hawks on the ground, as he scampered in for a seven-yard touchdown run to turn it into a nine-point Raiders lead. An immediate answer by the Red Hawks saw a 30-yard touchdown run by
Makai James on an end-around play.
The Raiders scored a crucial touchdown on a huge 29-yard touchdown run by Coen Coloma to give the Raiders the 10 point lead with just over seven minutes left in the game. The Simpson offense seemed unfazed as they marched 82 yards on a 49-yard pass by Vance to Huerta to set up a one-yard touchdown pass to Benjamin.
The Simpson defense hung strong as they forced a Raiders punt on three straight plays that netted a loss of three yards on tackles by Mike MacNeil,
William Weathington,
Caleb Utter, and
Palenapa Mataafa.
Back-to-back completed passes by Vance and an electric 18-yard scramble set up a game tying 47 yard field goal attempt. But the Raiders' special teams prevailed as the kick was blocked by Danny McDonnell as the Raiders survived the Red Hawks comeback efforts, 38-35.
Ya'j Vacne had a big game accounting for three touchdowns. He completed 17 passes for 257 yards along with two touchdown passes as he led the team with 58 yards on the ground.
Ivan Huerta led the receivers with 89 yards through the air and one touchdown reception.
On defense,
Caleb Utter and
Charlie Walden led the defense with 10 tackles each, while Walden notched two tackles for loss.
James Webster and Dominue Ruff each posted an interception.
The Red Hawks hit the road this week as they head to SoCal to take on Whittier College on Saturday at 5 pm.
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