GLENDALE — Nothing comes easy for Santa Monica College’s football team.
There were missed field goals, defensive miscues and a key fourth down conversion that was all part of a second half that turned into a shoot-out for the Corsairs.
By the time the Corsairs ran onto the field to run out the clock there was a lot to take from a 47-41 victory at Glendale on Saturday.
At the top of the list is the Corsairs now control their own destiny next week at home against West L.A. SMC (7-2 overall, 5-0 in conference) is in a first place tie with West L.A. heading into a matchup that will decide the Pacific Conference title.
“We are exactly where we want to be,” Head Coach Gifford Lindheim said “This is what you play the game for, we will be ready.”
Santa Monica has only one game left as the bowl picture begins to emerge. First the Corsairs had to get past Glendale to see that scenario play out.
The Corsairs took the lead early when Glendale running back Timot Broughton fumbled at his 23 yard line setting up an Alfonso Medina six-yard touchdown pass to Santa Monica High School alum Kris Comas that put SMC up 14-7.
SMC struck again just before the half with an eight-yard touchdown run by Myles Johnson that gave the Corsairs a 27-20 lead at the half.
After a second half SMC touchdown, Glendale’s Broughton redeemed himself with a one-yard scoring run that brought them to within a score of tying the game.
The Vaqueros slowly started to feel the momentum going their way during the second half going 90 yards mostly on the ground, scoring on a two-yard run by running back Joseph Wiggan.
After the score the game seemed to go into a shoot-out with each team exchanging scores until late in the fourth quarter with both teams tied at 41.
During the final quarter, the Corsairs made a gutsy call and went for it on fourth and one. Medina took a sneak up the middle and was able to get the first down. Four plays later Medina found wide receiver Brandon Taylor for the go-ahead touchdown, giving them a 47-41 lead.
“I got a good block from Ralph [Gordon], and took it in for the score,” said Taylor, who played at Samohi last year.
news@www.smdp.com
