4 minute read
Still rolling
Football team wins their third straight with a 24-0 shutout of L.A. Southwest
Andre Fuller / Roundup
The Pierce College football team continued their winning ways as they beat the LA Southwest College Cougars in Los Angeles, Calif. Saturday night 24-0.
Leading the way for the shut out win was the defensive line of Pierce (with an overall record of 4-2 and 3-0 in conference).
The defense proved to be far more superior to the Cougar offense. An offense that struggled to look consistent the whole game.
Short in stature Cougar quarterbacks Marcell Dejean (5 feet 9 inches tall) and Robert McCullough (5 feet 11 inches tall) struggled to see over their offensive line and Brahma defensive line.
“The pass rush and tackling played better than it has been,” said Josh Phillips, defensive coordinator for Pierce.
The defense responded well from the previous week against West Los Angeles College, giving up 527 yards of total offense.
Giving up a mere 154 yards on defense and forcing two interceptions and a fumble, the defensive game plan was played with consistency.
The play from the defense showed on the Cougar faces as more than half of the team was seen sitting on the bench throughout the game. With every turnover caused by the defense, there was a collective sigh as the heads of the Cougar team feel beneath their heads.
“They responded big time from last week’s game,” said head coach Efrain Martinez. “We had to show something, and we did. They came out and played well. They shut the other team out, and that’s what I was hoping for.”
The play of Pierce defensive back Brandon Turner symbolized the defensive performance of the defense.
In a better position for the ball than the Cougar receiver, Turner intercepted his fourth ball of the young season.
“I got beat against East LA for a touchdown, so that’s been hunting me. So I’ve started looking back for the ball more,” said Martinez. “I looked back that time and it was there.”
With Turner being recruited by Oregon State University, he has been making plays all over the field throughout the season.
No one appreciates this more than his head coach.
“He’s special,” said Martinez. “We have had guys that go to BCS [Bowl Championship Series] schools at cornerback, during the times that I have been here, and he’s the best. There’s something about that kid. He knows where the ball is and knows how to get to the ball.”
However, the offensive production from Pierce didn’t match the point they put up. Only posting 267 yards worth of offense, the struggled playing for a full four quarters. “We didn’t execute. We left a lot of points on the field,” said Martinez. “We just didnt play with that killer instinct—and that worries me.”
After putting up season highs in passing yards and touchdown passes in the game against West LA College, Pierce quarterback Matt Wabby threw for 155 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception Saturday.
“We are better than we have played,” said Phillips. “There are assignment errors. Most of the time, we are our own worst enemies.”
However, the coaching staff is optimistic about the young football team and its up coming growth.
“I was really pleased with the defense. I was pleased with the special teams play,” said Martinez. “The offense, we did well, but not as well as I wanted too. We still have to work on things.”
The Brahmas will be playing Santa Barbara College (with an overall record of 2-4 and1-2 in conference) in Santa Barbara this Saturday Oct. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
