Coach Kaumeyer Gets 1st PCC Win; Football Ends Slide, 27-16 Over ELAC

Most of the current Pasadena City College football team roster wasn’t born when head coach Thom Kaumeyer last directed a victory at the community college level. Twenty-one years after he coached Palomar College to a bowl title, Kaumeyer, in his first year back in the CCC head coaching ranks, celebrated his first Lancers’ win in a 27-16 come-from-behind triumph over East Los Angeles College Saturday night.

In front of the home fans at Robinson Stadium, PCC snapped an 11-game program losing streak and a 5-game string that started this season. The Lancers (1-5 overall) rallied from 16-7 down in the third quarter and avenged a stinging loss to their local rival ELAC (now 2-3) from last season.

After missing two games, freshman quarterback Jett Even returned to the lineup and fired four touchdown passes, three in a 10-minute span in the second half that erased the Huskies’ lead. Even completed 24 of 37 passes for 285 yards TD throws to four different receivers.

Following ELAC taking a 16-7 lead on a 24-yard field goal by Juan Luis Vicente, Even marched the Lancers downfield with a 17-yard carry and four straight completions. The last one was to sophomore wide receiver Ricky Blair, who hauled in an 18-yard TD pass that cut it to 16-13 with 7:44 left in the third quarter. The extra point kick was blocked.

The Lancers stopped the Huskies on the next series. This time it was letterman running back Justin Carroll who stepped up. A 31-yard Even-to-Blair connection was followed by Carroll busting through a tackle for a 23-yard carry. On the next play, Carroll roared into the end zone with a 13-yard TD pass from Even. Fray Rodriguez’s extra point gave PCC the lead at 20-16 with 2:16 to go in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Even engineered another scoring series culminating with a 21-yard TD dart to wide receiver Adrian Fonoimoana-Hall.

PCC’s secondary then made sure ELAC would not come back. First, defensive back Luis Luna picked off an Brian Marty pass at the goalline and returned it 23 yards. On the Huskies next series and with ELAC at the PCC 5, Caleb Devine made another interception in the end zone and returned it 18 yards that sealed the win with 7:28 left.

“I’m not only proud of the players, but our assistant coaching staff,” said a joyful Kaumeyer. “Everyone is working hard to get us better, trying to get the players to understand that if they can buy into our system, they can succeed. Tonight, we fell behind but we showed poise. The defense made some big plays, the offense moved the ball, and we got it done.”

Once again, sophomore linebacker Jayln Williams proved to be the best defensive player in the stadium as he made a team-high 11 tackles, nine solo, including five that were behind the line of scrimmage. He added a team season-high six quarterback hurries and hit the quarterback four times.

Another top player was sophomore defensive back Evan Alexander with nine tackles. Luna added two pass breakups along with his interception.

Blair made a team season-high 10 receptions for 140 yards. Carroll rushed 11 times for 49 yards and added four catches for 58 yards. Running back Trensten Spragling returned three kickoffs for 103 yards, rushed for 19 yards and and caught two passes for 10 yards.

The Lancers overcame three turnovers and a season-high 19 penalties for 185 yards.

PCC travels to face Ventura next Saturday, Oct. 17 in a 6 p.m. SCFA National Northern League kickoff.