The City College football team’s season came to an end Saturday night at La Playa Stadium, but not before two dramatic penalties extended the game. 

The Vaqueros eventually lost to West L.A. 27-21, though it initially appeared they won the game on the final play.

Vaquero’s quarterback John Uribe hit receiver Chad Toocheck in the back of the end zone for a 38-yard, game-tying touchdown, only to have the play called back on an offensive pass interference penalty. 

On top of the pass interference call, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against City College backed up Uribe to his own 32-yard line. An unusual conclusion became more bizarre when West L.A. was called for roughing the passer, giving SBCC yet another try at the end zone after the clock ran out. The game, and the season, finally came to an end when Uribe was sacked near midfield.

City College finished the season at 3-3 in the American Pacific Conference and 4-6 overall.

“It’s hard to watch it end like that,” said Uribe. “Things just didn’t go our way.”

Uribe completed 20 of 28 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns on the night to finish a strong two-season spell at City College.

“It’s been a great experience,” Uribe said.  “I’ve learned a lot in my two years, on and off the football field.” 

Down 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, City College came alive to take a 21-17 halftime lead. Running back Michael Douglas scored two of the Vaquero’s three touchdowns on catches of eight and 15 yards from Uribe. The Vaqs other score came on a 15-yard pass to Toocheck, who played with a separated shoulder. 

Defense tightened in the second half, as both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter.

Captain and middle linebacker Sam Shipley played in his final game and finished with seven solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and an interception.

“We did everything we could and it just didn’t go our way,” Shipley said. “All year this team hasn’t quit.”

The Wildcats broke through with a 16-yard touchdown pass to receiver Joseph Hyman from quarterback Spencer Philips to take the lead half way through the fourth quarter. Kicker Eduardo Montoya tacked on three more points with a 21-yard field goal to extend the team’s lead to 27-21 with less than seven minutes remaining.

City College’s final drive began on its own 28-yard line with 3:21 remaining. Three holding penalties didn’t help the Vaqueros on the final drive, but they were aided by an offside penalty against West L.A. to keep the drive alive.

In the game, however, City College was penalized a season high 15 times for 143 yards. It all came down to the final seconds when Toocheck’s apparent score was called back and the Vaqueros’ season came to a close.