Tyler McGee / Roundup
The Pierce College football team lost its regular season finale Saturday to Santa Monica College, 49-41, at Shepard Stadium.
The Brahmas’ loss ended their six-game winning streak and any momentum they may have had going into the regional playoffs next week.
The loss also cost the Brahmas the outright Pacific Conference Championship. They now have to share the conference title with Antelope Valley College.
Before the game, Pierce head coach Efrain Martinez warned of the possibility of a shared title.
“We don’t want to share,” Martinez said.
Pierce was without wide receivers Damon Julian and Coleman Edmond. Julian missed the game after injuring his back last week against Antelope Valley. His absence was a precautionary measure, as Martinez wanted him healthy for the playoffs.
Martinez after the game talked about the effect of missing Julian and Edmond.
“It took away our deep threat,” Martinez said. “We didn’t strech the field as much.”
A key to the game for the Brahmas would be their running game said Martinez.
“We need to run hard,” he said.
Early on, that prediction was off as the Brahmas were aided by the passing game and special teams. The Brahmas’ first big play was a bit of luck as a Daniel Lopez fumble flew through the air and into the arms of Matt Wabby, who ran for 42 yards.
A blocked field goal that was picked up and returned for an 85-yard touchdown by Jaston Wells put the score at 14-0 for the host Brahmas.
When Daniel Berhe caught a Wabby 9-yard touchdown pass, it started a crazy 10-second period. In that time period, the Brahmas and Corsairs combined
for 15 points.
After the Berhe touchdown, Chase Fletcher returned the kickoff 32 yards for a score of his own. On the point-after attempt, the Brahmas broke through the line and again blocked the Rony Estrada kick. This time it was Clifford Johnson picking it up and scoring for the hometown Brahmas.
As Martinez predicted the running game started to take hold of the game. Carlos King ended the game with 2 rushing touchdowns with 5-yards rushing on 6 carries. The rest of the Brahmas offense finished with 108-yards.
Corsairs quarterback Zachary Scribner was 22-40 passing for 282 yards and three touchdowns. Scribner found Anthony Windom for 2 touchdowns.
Several Santa Monica coaches in the press box referred to their team as the “bad news bears.”
Corsairs coach Gifford Lindheim, talking about Pierce, said, “They’re the conference champions and a formidable opponent.” Lindheim also said he was proud of his team through the adversity they faced this season.
Wabby had 335 yards passing for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Filling in for the missing Edmond and Julian, Ty Harris played a huge role in the Brahmas offense. Harris had several impressive catches, falling back while being interfered with. Harris finished with 6 catches for 116-yards.
Martinez giving praise to his young receiver said that his future is bright and that he’s only going to get better and that he’s still learning the game.
Next up for the Brahmas is the Southern California Bowl versus Mt. San Antonio. The game will be played in Walnut. This season the Brahmas are 4-0 on the road. Pierce finished the regular season 7-3 overall and 6-1 in conference.
“You got to make every negative into a positive,” Martinez said regarding the loss.
Wabby also agreed with that statement.
“You learn more from a loss than a win,” he said. Martinez also gave hope to the future.
“The future is bright for Pierce.”
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Pierce WR Daniel Berhe gets away from defenders during the Brahmas? loss against SMC Saturday at Shepard Stadium. (Aisha Ahal / Roundup)