Cerritos College held off a Long Beach City College comeback Saturday and beat the Vikings, 28-23 in football.

Saturday, the Falcons play host to Pasadena City College for first place in the Northern Division of the South Coast Conference.

On the first play of the game, Long Beach quarterback Jason Baughman’s pass was intercepted by cornerback Carchell Wright.

On the very next play, Falcons’ quarterback Mike Harrison threw a pass that was deflected by the Vikings’ Rashon Brooks and caught by Chris Chatman in the end zone for a touchdown.

The extra point attempt was mishandled and recovered by Long Beach City linebacker Adam Nyssen, who ran the ball back for two points.

Cerritos free safety Charles Allgood picked off Baughman’s third pass attempt and ran it back 85 yards to give the Falcons a 13-2 lead.

Brandon Fasavalu replaced Baughman at quarterback, and after he fumbled the ball on the Falcons goal line, Viking wide receiver Clint Bingham recovered the ball in the end zone for a 14-13 Vikings lead.

After a field goal by Adam Sonntag, Harrison threw another touchdown pass to Chris Chatman to give the Falcons a 22-14 lead.

Baughman got the Vikings the lead back with a touchdown pass to Hasan Mahone to make the score 23-22, Long Beach.

The Falcons took the lead back after intercepting Baughman for the fourth time as Harrison hit Randy Raphiel with a 10-yard pass for a touchdown and a 28-23 lead.

Fasavalu drove Long Beach 48 yards to the Falcons’ 22 with 29 seconds remaining.

But on the final play, his knee touched the ground before he could spike the ball to stop the clock, and time ran out.

Falcon cornerback Anthony Robinson said that he feels great about the team’s performance. “We have two games (left to play) but we won. Our offense and defense were good.”

Wright also said that team did well. “We need to stop making penalties. I feel that we are ready for Pasadena and Riverside.”