Ground-bound Vaqs fall short of comeback

With no reliable passing option at quarterback, the Glendale Community College football team turned to its steady ground attack to try and mount a comeback against L.A. Valley College in its Pacific Conference American Division opener on Saturday night.

With two long fourth-quarter drives consisting solely of running offense and ending in Timothy Broughton touchdowns, the Vaqueros gave themselves a chance to pull out a come-from-behind win, but when your entire arsenal consists of rushing plays, the clock becomes your enemy very quickly.

Time ran out on Glendale, which suffered its fifth straight loss to begin the season, 30-21, despite a continued improvement from its defense and a solid 251 offensive yards on the ground. Joseph Wiggan was the leading rusher for the Vaqueros with 112 yards in 19 carries.

“We’re just missing out on our quarterback and trying to make something out of nothing,” said Broughton, who carried the ball 17 times for 81 yards and two scores. “We were just shorthanded today … and we just tried to move the ball as much as possible.

“Our defense is getting better and better every week. Our tackling is becoming better and our heart is getting bigger and bigger every week. I love our defense, we’re getting better and we’re going to pull out a win soon.”

With starting quarterback Kevin Hunter sidelined by an injury he incurred in last week’s game against Allan Hancock, the Vaqueros turned to backup Darren Orsbern to start the game under center. He didn’t attempt a pass in the first half before giving way to third-stringer Anthony Carter at halftime. Carter failed to complete a pass in four attempts.

“That was probably about two [pass attempts] too many,” Vaqueros Coach John Rome said.

Actually, it was one too many. Carter’s last attempt of the game was intercepted by Valley’s Patrick-Jan Dayao and returned 51 yards to the Vaqueros' 12-yard line inside the final minute of the third quarter, setting up the Monarchs’ final touchdown of the contest, a 12-yard hookup between quarterback Christian Robertson and Vitale Neemia for a 27-7 lead as the quarter ended.

Robertson is also a backup, forced into action by an injury to starter Dan Owen last week. Robertson completed 13 of 22 attempts for 173 yards and two touchdowns, as the Monarchs also ran the ball heavily, but were held to 135 yards.