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Late TD run lifts Pitman over Lincoln
Pitman 3
Pitman quarterback Jacob Perez was 9 of 14 for 91 yards and rushed for 15 yards on Friday, including a touchdown run to win the game in the final minute of regulation against Lincoln of Stockton. - photo by Journal file photo

The Pitman  Pride football team overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half of Friday's game and rallied to take the victory after a touchdown run from quarterback Jacob Perez with 49 seconds remaining and a two-point conversion that led to the 29-26 final.

It was a rough start for the Pride as Lincoln scored four touchdowns in the first two quarters, but Pitman held them to just a single successful two-point conversion out of four attempts.

The Pride went down by two scores early in the second before Branden Pacheco busted loose for a five-yard rushing touchdown to make it 14-7.

Lincoln went on to score again but Pitman retaliated after Devan Bass ran for a 69-yard score to make it 20-14 before Lincoln scored once again as the half ended to make it 26-14.

From there, Pitman was in the same position as they were a week ago, down in the fourth by double digits, but they stayed composed heading into the fourth quarter.

The third saw a scoreless quarter before Bass came through for the Pride with a pick-six, after returning an interception for 46-yards.

Down 26-21 with less than two minutes remaining, Pitman was able to get the ball back on offense and Perez connected with Bass in the air on a 43-yard grab, giving the team an opportunity to punch it in with 49 seconds.

Perez snuck in behind the left side of his center and the Pride went on to add the two-point conversion for the dramatic victory in the closing minutes.

“Lincoln is always big and fast, they really jumped on us early, we had difficulty,” said Tyler. “They are different than Downey, I assumed we could make the connections but made adjustments at halftime, things really calmed down and we played better.”

Perez was 9 of 14 for 91 yards. As a team, the Pride rushed for 226 yards, including 113 yards from Bass on 12 carries and a touchdown. Bass also had 71 yards in the air on three catches.

Defensively, Brendan Patterson and Bass each had an interception.

Pitman has beaten Lincoln of Stockton four consecutive meetings and improve to 2-0 for the year.

“I am happy where we are but we've got a long ways to go,” said Tyler.

Next, the Pride will travel to take on Napa, which has beaten them the last two seasons, at 7:30 p.m. Friday.