With strong defense and quick offense the Vaqueros won convincingly over L.A. Pierce 30-20 on Saturday, improving their record to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference.
“The linebackers came back this week and did a great job,” said head coach Reggie Bolton. “Griff Overton and Raphael McKinney played really well.”
Defensive back Ferrari Welch contributed to the dominating defense with two huge interceptions that helped stop the visiting Brahmas at desperate times.
“Ferrari Welsh is always there when we need him to make plays,” Bolton said. “And our defensive front really held their own against a bigger front.”
Pierce started the game with a 13-0 lead in the first six minutes of the game.
They scored their first touchdown in the first 1:41 of the quarter on a 20-yard pass. A number of carries by Pierce’s bruising running back led to the second score of the game, with 9:30 left in the first quarter. However, the Brahmas kicker botched the extra point making the score 13-0.
“They have a lot of speed, that was one thing I was afraid of,” Bolton said. “Their skill guys are really, really good, and their quarterback is a good player. But I thought if we’d pressure them and get into their face we could slow them down.”
After a 35-yard punt return by Welch, the Vaquero’s offense came alive. Quarterback Justin Lucas completed a pass to running back Dusty Stutsman who took the ball down to the Vaq’s 47 yard line.
The offense continued to pound Pierce with running back Anthony Wallace, who carried the ball to the Vaq’s 40.
Flying high to make the catch and convert the first down, wide receiver Ernie Pierce took the ball to the 14 yard line.
Tight end Lucian Blout capped the drive scoring the Vaq’s first touchdown of the game bringing the score to 13-7.
City College’s second touchdown came when Lucas connected with Pierce for a 4-yard strike, after a huge pass to Wallace and a 10-yard run by wide receiver Justin Cox. The Vaq’s pulled ahead 14-13 with 10 minutes left in the second quarter.
The defense proved itself after linebacker Griff Overton sacked the opposing quarterback and Welch made a defensive stop to prevent a first down.
“I think we really didn’t do [anything] different,” Welch said. “We just focused more because in the pervious game we let [the] press go to our heads and we weren’t focused on what we needed to do.”
The offense continued their domination with a touchdown by Wallace pulling the Vaqs ahead 23-13 after Tim Taylor made his third extra point of the night.
After a 15 yard penalty by Pierce, pushing them back to the 14 yard line, Welch came up with an interception on second-and-24. Landing on a sore shoulder he was sidelined until the last two minutes of the game.
“The sideline, ooh, it’s not something I like but I had to chill there for awhile,” Welch said. ” I have been having shoulder problems, but by next week I’ll be back and healthy.”
One more touchdown scored by each team, finalized the score at 30-20. The Vaqueros were saved by last second heroics from an aching Welch. The defensive back made a crucial stop after L.A. Pierce was within 16 yards of the end zone.
Welch grabbed his second interception of the night after Pierce’s quarterback threw the ball to the end zone. Welch caught the ball and dashed to Pierce’s 23 yard line with 10 seconds left in the game.
“As a team I think we played about a B plus game,” Welch said. “We still had too many mental errors. I am proud of everyone for staying in the fight and when we got punched, for punching back.”
The Vaqueros will travel to Moorpark on Saturday to play another conference game at 7 p.m.