Canyons Comeback Spoils SCFA NNC Opener for Football, 28-24

For nearly 55 minutes Saturday night, the winless Pasadena City College football team outplayed the region’s No. 2-ranked team and nationally-ranked No. 13 College of the Canyons. The Lancers led 24-14 on a 4-yard touchdown pass by emergency starting sophomore quarterback Marc Peart to letterman linebacker Terry Wilson with 5:25 left in the game.

Unfortunately for the Lancers, COC scored two touchdowns in a 1:03 span and left Robinson Stadium still undefeated at 4-0 with a 28-24 comeback victory in the SCFA National Northern Conference opener for both teams. PCC’s program losing streak reached 10 games dating back to last season as the Lancers are 0-4 this year.

PCC controlled the ball for more than 39 minutes and had its best rushing game of the season. Behind 90 yards in 24 carries by sophomore running back Justin Carroll and 72 yards in 17 attempts by freshman Joseph Thomas, the Lancers netted 152 yards on the ground. The Lancers had just 48 yards rushing in their first three games combined.

Carroll gave PCC a 7-0 lead on an 8-yard TD run 4:21 into the game. With 9:57 left in the second quarter, the Lancers upped it to 14-0 on an 11-yard TD pass in the back of the end zone from Peart to sophomore wide receiver Ricky Blair.

Canyons rallied to tie it 14-14, but the Lancers regained the lead on a 37-yard field goal by freshman Simon Simental with 9:54 to go in the fourth quarter.

Up 24-14, PCC surrendered a 63-yard scoring bomb from Devon Dunn to receiver Nicholas Jones with 4:38 left to play. Just 73 seconds later, Peart’s second-and-13 pass attempt from the PCC 5 was turned into a 10-yard interception return for the winning TD by defensive back Paul Puebla.

Overall, the Lancers forced six COC turnovers, including two interceptions by sophomore cornerback Evan Alexander. Sophomore linebacker Jalyn Williams had a brilliant performance, totaling a game-high 10 tackles, recovering a fumble and making three quarterback hits. Letterman defensive end Kevin Bailey added four tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Peart, a Valencia High product, completed 19 of 36 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first collegiate start when it was learned that regular frosh starter Jett Even was not dressed due to undisclosed reasons.

“We’re not going to be pushed over by anyone anymore,” said PCC head coach Thom Kaumeyer. “Canyons is a great team, but we played hard and we were short-handed. I can’t be prouder of our players because they nearly pulled off one of the year’s great upsets.”

Not only were the Lancers without Even, but they played without top receiver Adrian Fonoimoana-Hall, top kick returner and running back Trensten Spragling, punter/kicker Kareem Zeenni, and starting offensive lineman Ben Kaiser due to injuries.

The Lancers’ offensive line of Caylan Cooper, Freddie Barnes, Steven Ramirez, Anthony Valerio, Jonathan Godoy, and Jordan Fuamatu played well, according to Kaumeyer.

PCC travels to face Cerritos College next Saturday, October 3 in a 7 p.m. conference game.