The Diablo Valley College football team came out victorious in a 44-41 thriller against the visiting Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs Friday, Nov. 14.

The Vikings struggled to get things going early on; SRJC scored two quick touchdowns in the first quarter, taking a 14-0 lead.

DVC was able to gain momentum when quarterback Adam Wood connected with wide receiver Efrain Montalvo on a 53-yard touchdown pass.

Following the scoring drive, defensive lineman DJ Moffitt came up with a huge interception, which he returned for a touchdown.

SRJC lead 20-18 at halftime.

Despite having made the game close the Vikings did not manage to take the lead until halfway through the fourth quarter.

Moffitt batted down a pass that was recovered by defensive back Jerek Rosales in the end zone for a touchdown.

The Vikings lead 38-34, but the game was far from over. SRJC retook the lead with a quick touchdown.

DVC regained possession with just over five minutes left, Wood drove the team downfield setting them up at the goal line. With 2:21 left Wood scrambled into the end zone to take a 44-41 lead.

DVC’s defense denied SRJC a chance to come back with a big fourth down stop.

Wood may have scored the game-winning touchdown, but he gave a lot of credit to the defense.

“I gotta thank our defense, wow, they just kept giving us opportunities,” Wood said. “They provided some huge momentum boosts.”

Wide receiver Justin Williams feels the team’s performance Friday was one to remember.

“We actually played as a team instead as individuals,” Williams said. “Best game we ever played today, best game.”

The team displayed a lot of resilience not only coming back from the early deficit but to score when it mattered.

Quarterback Adam Nesheim explained the team has had to come back in many games this season and they knew how to deal with it.

“We knew that we had to fight back with a chip on our shoulder,” Nesheim said. “Ever since the first drive or two, we knew that we had to lock down and we had to step it up.”

The Vikings will host the Sacramento City College Panthers for a bowl game at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at DVC.