SANTA ROSA, Calif. — History was made on Saturday afternoon at Bailey Field as San José City College kicker Jineen Laimon became the first woman to score in a football game in Jaguar history, booting a field goal and two extra points in a narrow 20-17 loss to Santa Rosa Junior College.
Laimon, a freshman, etched her name into the SJCC record book with a flawless performance in her debut. She converted a 22-yard field goal late in the second quarter, extending San Jose’s lead to 10-0 at the time, and hit both of her extra points — including a pressure-packed kick that tied the game at 17 with 1:20 remaining.
A Strong Start for the Jaguars
The Jaguars (0-1) opened the season with poise, marching 81 yards on their first scoring drive. Quarterback Cedeno Chavez capped the possession with an 11-yard strike to Maynard Lorenzo, and Laimon calmly drilled the extra point to make it 7-0.
SJCC controlled the first half, leaning on an efficient offense that outgained the Bear Cubs early. A 16-play, 87-yard drive midway through the second quarter showcased their balance — Chavez’s short passes, Nathaniel Garcia’s steady runs, and clutch third-down conversions. The drive stalled inside the 10, but Laimon’s historic kick split the uprights, pushing the lead to 10-0 with 6:46 left before halftime.
Santa Rosa Fights Back
Santa Rosa (1-0) responded after the break behind quarterback Bobby McGovern, who threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns. On the Bear Cubs’ first possession of the second half, McGovern found Jovon Scott streaking downfield for a 68-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 10-7.
The fourth quarter brought drama. McGovern engineered a 96-yard drive that chewed up more than eight minutes, capped by a 17-yard field goal from kicker Anthony Calvillo to tie the game at 10. Moments later, McGovern again connected with Scott, this time on a 20-yard touchdown pass, giving Santa Rosa its first lead at 17-10 with 8:50 to play.
A Late Rally Falls Short
The Jaguars weren’t done. Chavez orchestrated a methodical 19-play, 75-yard drive that drained over seven minutes. He found Jaalen Mhoon on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 1:20 left. Laimon’s kick tied the game at 17, setting up a dramatic finish.
Santa Rosa answered swiftly. Starting near midfield, McGovern hit Scott and Eli Evans to push into field-goal range. With five seconds remaining, Calvillo nailed a 24-yard kick to lift the Bear Cubs to a 20-17 victory.
Numbers Tell the Story
Both teams traded punches statistically, with San Jose outgaining Santa Rosa in first downs (23-22) and time of possession (30:30 to 29:25), while the Bear Cubs edged the Jaguars in total yards (383 to 337).
Chavez finished 24 of 35 for 199 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Garcia led the rushing attack with 54 yards on 14 carries. Receiver Anderson Riley paced the passing game with eight catches for 56 yards, while Mhoon added 53 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.
Santa Rosa leaned heavily on McGovern and Scott. McGovern completed 20 of 30 passes with two scores and one interception, while Scott accounted for 95 receiving yards and both touchdowns. Running back Zion Williams powered the ground game with 99 yards on 20 carries.
Calvillo was pivotal for the Bear Cubs, hitting two field goals and both of his PATs for an eight-point day.
A Trailblazer in Purple and Gold
While the Jaguars left Santa Rosa with a loss, Laimon’s performance resonated far beyond the final score. She became the first woman to record points for SJCC football, finishing with five.
Looking Ahead
San Jose City returns home next weekend searching for its second win of the season. Despite the heartbreak, the Jaguars found bright spots in their resilience, offensive rhythm, and, most memorably, the historic debut of their new kicker.
For SJCC, Saturday’s contest may be remembered less for the last-second defeat and more for the barrier broken by Laimon — a milestone etched in the program’s history, and a sign that the game of football continues to expand its boundaries.
Final Score: Santa Rosa 20, San Jose City 17
