After allowing 147 points in its first four games, SBCC’s defense has become downright stingy. The Vaqueros have given up just 22 points in the last two football games and the offense has done just enough to post back-to-back wins over L.A. Southwest (10-7) and Santa Monica (17-15).
Riley St. Clair, the Vaqueros’ punter and long field-goal kicker, was the difference in both victories with game-winning field goals of 50 and 46 yards.
SBCC (2-4, 2-1) will be seeking its first three-game win streak since 2005 when it travels to Woodland Hills to take on L.A. Pierce (2-4, 2-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Brahmas won the last meeting 28-21 in 2006 but the Vaqueros hold a 13-12 series lead, thanks to four wins in the last six meetings.
“I’ve been very pleased with our defense but the challenges continue to grow,” said SBCC coach Craig Moropoulos, whose team is in a three-way tie for second in the American Pacific Conference, one game behind Antelope Valley (3-0). “Pierce is typical of the teams we’ll play in the next few weeks. They’re athletic with good team speed. They also have a good wide receiver and a quarterback with a strong arm.”
The Brahmas overcome a 21-5 fourth-quarter deficit last week against L.A. Southwest, thanks to three TD passes by Taylor Budd. Kenny Davis, the fourth-leading receiver in the APC with 24 catches for 469 yards and five TDs, caught the game-winning pass — a 13-yard TD with 1:08 remaining.
Southwest lost four fumbles and both teams struggled on the ground with Pierce netting just 25 yards and the Cougars 24.
SBCC got its first-ever win at Santa Monica, 17-15, last Saturday with all the scoring coming in the first half. Trayone Harris ran for 72 yards on just nine carries and Oscar Loza caught five passes for 103 yards, including a 33-yard TD from Austin Civita.
Matt Racowski, Lamont Dupree and Nate Bailey had interceptions for the Vaqueros, who are ranked No. 2 in pass defense in Southern California, allowing just 122 yards per game.
SBCC plays its final two regular-season home games on Nov. 1 against West L.A. and Nov. 8 against L.A. Valley.
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AMERICAN PACIFIC CONFERENCE
Antelope Valley 3-0 3-3
L.A. Valley 2-1 3-3
SBCC 2-1 2-4
L.A. Pierce 2-1 2-4
West L.A. 1-2 2-4
L.A. Southwest 1-2 1-5
Santa Monica 1-2 1-5
East L.A. 0-3 0-6
Saturday
SBCC at L.A. Pierce, 7 p.m.
West L.A. at Santa Monica, 7 p.m.
East L.A. at Antelope Valley, Quartz Hill High, 1 p.m.
L.A. Valley vs. L.A. Southwest at West L.A., 1 p.m.
