Led by a three touchdown performance by backup quarterback Mike Hicks, American River College defeated Modesto Junior College 56-49 at Beaver Stadium on Saturday Oct. 27.

With starting quarterback Jonathan Kodama in a walking boot with a foot injury, Hicks threw for one touchdown and ran for another two as the Beavers overcame a 35-14 deficit with just over two minutes left in the first half.

The Beavers scored 42 unanswered points to take a commanding 56-35 lead before the Pirates scored two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Coupled with a Fresno City College win over San Joaquin Delta College and a Sierra College win over College of the Sequoias, the Beavers (7-2 overall, 2-1 Valley) are now in a four-way tie for first place the Valley Conference with two weeks left in the regular season.

Drake Tofi led ARC with 110 rushing yards—his first career 100-plus yard performance for ARC—and Diondre Batson caught four passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, including a 38-yard pass from running back Devontae Booker in the third quarter.

Zane Petty led the defense with 13 tackles and Samson Faifili contributed with seven tackles and one sack.

Batson signed a financial aid agreement for a scholarship to the University of Alabama after the game. The sophomore qualified for the U.S. Olympics Trials this past summer in the 200-meter dash.

The Beavers will play on the road next week at COS before hosting Sierra on Nov. 10 in the season finale.