Butte College freshman tight end Elias Counihan leaps over a Foothill College defender during the 2024 California Community College Gridiron Classic Bowl. Photo by Butte College Athletics

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - On Dec. 7, the California Community College Gridiron Classic Bowl was played in Oroville at the John B. Cowan Stadium. In a thrilling matchup between the Foothill College Owls and the Butte College Roadrunners, Butte emerged victorious with a final score of 33-27.

Butte started off strong with Lane Garner kicking a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter, followed by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Roadrunner quarterback Marcus Beamon to Elias Counihan in the second quarter. Foothill responded with a 3-yard touchdown run by Jordan Fuentes, but Butte extended their lead with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Beamon to Brandon Smith, making the score 16-7 at halftime.

The third quarter saw Foothill's Epoki Fakaosi return an interception for a 61-yard touchdown, closing the gap. But the Roadrunners maintained their lead with a 36-yard field goal by Garner. In the fourth quarter, Butte's Niall Raby scored a 13-yard touchdown run, followed by a 4-yard touchdown run by Beamon. Foothill fought back with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Macedo to Blake Chase, but Butte secured the win with Beamon's touchdown run and held off Foothill's late rally.

Overall, Butte had a strong offensive performance with Beamon leading the way with 240 passing yards and two touchdown passes. Foothill put up a good fight, but Butte's defense proved to be too much to overcome.

With this victory, Butte improved their record to 10-1, while Foothill fell to 7-4. 

Game awards went to: Epoki Fakaosi, Foothill College (Defensive Most Valuable Player), Marcus Beamon, Butte College (Offensive Most Valuable Player) and Player of the Game: Zach Valcarcel, Butte College.