The Vaqueros ended the regular season with a bang when they defeated the East L.A. Huskies 42-0 Saturday night at Sartoris Field, improving to 8-2.

In the last regular season game for the sophomores, the Vaqueros played a perfect game allowing no touchdowns and scoring six.

The team’s offense totaled 409 yards. Sophomore quarterback Brendon Doyle completed nine of 17 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, both to wide receiver Chistopher Marshall.

“We wanted to end the regular season with a good note,” said Doyle. “We wanted to show that the offense can hold their own and put the points on the board.”

“We had to come out here and make a statement,” said Doyle.
A statement was exactly what the Vaqueros made that night. They ran the ball for 217 yards.

Leading the ground attack was Jason McNeil, who ran the ball 20 times for 95 yards and a touchdown.

After a slow start for the Vaquero offense, Doyle connected with Marshall for a 17-yard touchdown at the end of the first quarter. McNeil added a 1-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 14-0. Finally, tailback Anthony Cullors scored an 8-yard touchdown to give the Vaqueros a 21-0 lead going into the half.

In the third quarter, Brandon Torres scored a 35-yard touchdown to open the half for the Vaqs, giving them a 28-0 lead going into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Doyle once again hooked up with Marshall for an 8-yard touchdown pass, giving GCC a 35-0 lead. For the final touchdown, Dexter Bryant ran the ball in from 15 yards out, making the score 42-0.

The Vaquero defense controlled the Huskies’ offense all night allowing only 101 total yards, and holding them just to 10 yards rushing.

The defense intercepted the ball three times. The first interception came when linebacker Alonzo Menifield intercepted the ball midfield and returned it to the 13-yard line. The next interception came when defensive back Elliot Jones intercepted the Huskies’ pass in the third quarter. The key defensive play came when Ray McDonough intercepted the ball in the end zone to end any scoring hopes for the Huskies, putting the game away for good.
“It’s important to end the season strong,” said sophomore defensive back Michael Esquivel. “We have to play hard like we have all season.”

“I’m so happy with the sophomores,” said coach John Cicuto. “16-4 is a pretty good record.”

The Vaqueros finished the regular season 8-2 and 4-2 in Western State Conference.

With an 8-2 record the Vaqueros are first-time bowl hosts and are slated to play Santa Ana College (7-3) Saturday at 5 p.m. at Sartoris Field.