“I like it when my defense proves me wrong,” said head coach John Rome even after a 14-31 loss against Pasadena City College, Nov. 15. The Vaqueros’ final game of the season set their record at 3-7.
At the end of the first half, it was a tightly contested game at 7-7 a piece.
Unlike the past few games the Vaqs have played where the defense was non-existent, this time out defense as the only reason why this game wasn’t a complete blowout.
Glendale’s defense allowed 449 total yards, 298 coming from the Lancers’ ground game. The Lancers had one player run for more than 100 yards, and another who ran for 4 touchdowns. The Vaqs shut down the Lancers’ passing game, allowing them 0 touchdowns from the air.
Quarterback D.E. Martinez completed 15 of 19 passes for 178 yards. Martinez threw 2 touchdowns during the game. Michael Harrison and Jason McNeil both led the team with 3 catches each.
Glendale had no rushing touchdowns for the game. Only one player, freshman halfback Lavell Peterson, ran for 108 yards on 9 carries averaging 12 yards-per-run. Peterson was spectacular in the ground game. In one play, he ran the ball downfield, dancing his way around two defenders and crossing them up making them look absolutely foolish.
Unfortunately, Peterson went down with an injury late in the first half. He later commented that he had a sprained MCL and will not play the rest of the game.
With the leading rusher out of the game, it was up to the rest of the team to step up and take the game in their hands. No one responded.
In the beginning of the second half, tied at 7-7, it was the Lancers who drew first blood with a 29-yard field goal that put them up 10-7. Martinez answered back with an impressive 37-yard pass to Josh Stangby making it a 10-14 game, that would be the last score Glendale would make for the rest of the game, and the season.
Perhaps, the biggest error in the game came when a Glendale lineman committed a personal foul resulting in a 15-yard penalty causing them to punt the ball late in the third where they were only down by three points.
The next few drives were a mix and match of turnovers and failed drives by the offense. The Vaqueros only converted 6-13 third downs. Glendale punted the ball four times the entire game.
Along with the failed drives, Glendale fumbled the ball twice. Both were recovered by the opposing team.
Pasadena managed to score three more touchdown runs, virtually ending the game.
“I was impressed with our defense they rallied and proved me wrong, they played outstanding football,” said Rome. “I don’t think our offense necessarily gave them the support that would have indicative to a better score.”
Glendale Vaqueros ended their season at 3-7. But Glendale fans shouldn’t fret for the next season holds much excitement for the team. The fact is that this year’s team was a young group, with so many talented freshmen.
The leading rushers Peterson and Youngblood will be coming back for their sophomore year, ensuring more offensive highlights for the team.
