West Hill College Coalinga running back Dwan James ran for a career-high 211 yards but the Falcons got off to a slow start on its way to a 41-21 Valley League loss at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton on Saturday.

The Falcons were held scoreless in the first half and trailed 27-0 in the third quarter until James broke free for the first of two second-half touchdown runs. On the opening play of the West Hills drive, James escaped for a season-long 70-yard TD at the 9:14 mark.

After another Delta touchdown, the Falcons trailed 34-7 before putting together a pair of scoring drives. Cannon Eames tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Rayvon Smith with six minutes to go in the third to cap a six-play, 76-yard drive and cut the Delta lead to 34-14.  

West Hills continued the run with a long 13-play, 59-yard drive that took 5:38 off the clock. James busted into the end zone from two yards out to give the Falcons a glimmer of hope as they trailed 34-21.

But Delta iced its victory with its final touchdown with 8:25 remaining in the game. Mario Gonzalez scored a on 13-yard TD run to close out an 11-play, 79-yard drive that lasted over five minutes. West Hills turned the ball over on downs on its final two possessions and could get no closer.

James' 211 yards on 23 carries gives him 971 yards this season, moving him to second on the state rushing yards list. He trails Hartnell College running back David Freeman, currently with 1,106 yards. James' 971 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns currently lead the Valley League.

The loss dropped West Hills to 0-9 overall and 0-4 in league play. The Falcons will need to upset league-leading Fresno City College (7-2, 4-0 VL) in their final game next Saturday (Nov. 16) to avoid a winless season. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Coalinga.