Philip George, Spring 2009 Assistant Sports Editor
The battle of the bell raged on once again last night at Valley Stadium as the crosstown-rival Valley College Monarchs charged past the Brahmas, 50-13, in the 45th annual meeting between the two.
“[The rivalry] is intense,” Dave Ochoa, Pierce College assistant coach. “We could be 0-9 and it doesn’t matter. We want to win the last game if it’s against Valley. This is the one you want to win.”
Though the skies were threatening all night, Pierce’s offense was not as quarterback Taylor Budd turned the ball over six times – with five interceptions and a lost fumble – allowing the Monarchs to score 30 points off Brahma turnovers.
“Everything went wrong,” said sophomore running back Eddie Gomez. “There was nothing we did right.”
With the victory, Valley recaptured the victory bell, the trophy that has been passed to the winner of the game since the inaugural meeting in 1965. After winning three years straight against Pierce from 2004-06, the Monarchs lost the bell last year to the Brahmas by a score of 17-37.
“I want to give credit to coach Martinez and the Brahmas,” said Valley head coach Jimmy Sims who went on to compliment the Brahmas for their ability to overcome injuries to critical players such as quarterback Justin Collins and wide receiver Kenny Davis.
The Brahmas’ record now stands at 2-6, guaranteeing them a losing record for the season with two games left on the schedule. Pierce will travel to Quartz Hill High School Saturday at 1 p.m. to take on first place Antelope Valley College (5-3).
Pierce running back Joe Sims tries not to get tackled as he heads down the field toward the end zone at yesterday’s away game against Valley College. Pierce lost the game to their rival team, 50-13. (Aisha Ahal)