The Pierce College Brahmas cruised to a high scoring victory over Santa Barbara City College football team on Saturday Oct. 26.
In a fierce battle for control of the western conference, both teams came out fired up, delivering one of the most physical games of the season with Pierce winning by a score of 53-42 which gave Santa Barbara its first loss of the season.
Before the game, Pierce Head Coach Efrain Martinez gave a quick preview of what to expect from the team that came into Shepard Stadium without a loss in the season.
“It’s going to be a good game. We never played an undefeated team this late in the season,” Martinez said. “They’re so balanced all the way around. That’s what’s so good about them.”
The Brahmas brought on the offense early, scoring three touchdowns, but the Brahmas would not be so lucky on extra point attempts later in the game, getting stuffed twice by the Santa Barbara defensive line.
Freshman defensive back Jay’Onn Myles performed well along with the rest of the defense for multiple sacks, short gains, and interceptions by the secondary defensive unit.
“We can’t let them control the game,” Myles said. “We’ve got to show everybody we’re still the number one team.”
Freshman and fellow defensive back Andrew McCrea was also prepared for one of the biggest games of the season, with an almost zen-like level of concentration before the game began.
“We had a great practice all week, we’re ready to play,” McCrea said before adjusting his equipment and running straight into the maelstrom that would turn out to be a monumental game for the Brahmas this season.
Although Pierce scored a season high 53 points, Santa Barbara was still able to bring the pressure in the second half, at one point tying at 21 from a reverse pass play in the third quarter.
Santa Barbara even got an interception later that quarter for a touchdown, but by then Pierce had already scored two touchdowns, putting the Brahmas well in the lead.
Not every part of this game was gridlock action from play-to-play. The fourth quarter was full of blunders by both sides, with a baffling amount of penalty flags thrown.
At one point, the ball didn’t advance on the field , this was due to a large quantity of penalties being called on both sides.
Santa Barbara did its best to take advantage of Pierce’s miscues, but ended coming up short whenever the game was in motion, due to the solid defensive plays by Pierce.
Jarred Evans, sophomore quarterback for Santa Barbara City College football team and childhood friend of a few Brahmas, was gracious enough to offer a quick statement after his team received the first loss of the season.
“We all wanted the win to be honest. Pierce is a good team and we’re a good team also,” Evans said. “[I] wish we could have come out with the win. It really hurt me a lot to lose this one.”
Pierce now shares control of the Pacific Conference with Santa Monica College with both teams at the top with records of 4-0.
The Brahmas now sit atop the Southern California American Division rankings, moving up two spots, according to the Southern California Football Association’s website.
The Brahmas will be looking to continue their winning ways against Antelope Valley College in an American Pacific Conference game on the road on Saturday Nov. 2
