The Brahmas hit the road for Chula Vista to take on the Southwestern College Jaguars in a 51-13 loss. Pierce had no answer for the Jags offense, which compiled 536 total yards, led by a three-headed attack at quarterback and 109 yards from running back Isaiah Strayhorn.
“Everybody worked. It was a good week of practice,” assistant coach Lucas Melo said. “We thought we were ready.”
The game was the culmination of an emotional week for players and coaches following the unexpected firings of head coach Jason Sabolic and defensive coordinator Torry Hughes on Monday, Sept. 11.
“It is hard going into a game when you just lost your head coach, and you just had a win,” starting quarterback Jonathon Saavedra said. “Obviously it’s difficult.”
The Brahmas seemingly couldn’t get out of their own way, turning the ball over six times and committing costly penalties.
Twice in the first half, Pierce had touchdowns called back. First for an illegal block by Darius August on a run by Keyshawn Richards, and later a pass interference call for a push-off by Joseph Branch.
Both drives ended in field goals by Oscar Gonzalez, and the Brahmas went into halftime down 23-6.
Despite allowing the Jags offense to score five times, the Brahmas defense was active, just as they have been all season, forcing four turnovers in the game.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Brahmas drove down to the Jags five-yard line, looking to cut into the 30-6 deficit at the time. Saavedra took the ball down to the one-yard line on a rush, but fumbled the ball out the back of the endzone.
The Brahmas lone touchdown came on a broken play where quarterback Jhakari Harrison scrambled to his left, and found an open Nic DeLoach in the far-side of the endzone.
Saavedra ended the day 8-23 for 173 yards and an interception, while Harrison went 3-7 122 yards with a touchdown and interception.
Interim head coach James Sims was up in the booth for the game. According to Sims, he was still unfamiliar with the terminology and would only be able to act as a manager this game, which was easier to do in the booth.
“It was tough to come in as a coach on a Tuesday and get ready to play a game Saturday,” Sims said. “I had to sit back and depend on the assistant coaches and players to do what they know how to do.”
Despite the result, Sims was happy with the way they competed, and is ready to get in on Monday and back to work. According to Sims, they plan to install some new red zone offense, which has been a weak point of the Brahmas attack this season.
The Brahmas look to get the season back on track this Saturday, Sept. 23, when they host Mt. San Jacinto College at 6 p.m.
