Photos by Michael Watkins
Football:
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor:
The Pasadena City College football program had three things to play for on Saturday night.
With a victory, the Lancers would avenge a five-point loss at Grossmont just four weeks ago tonight.
The second being the opportunity to win an eighth game, which PCC had not done in 18 years.
And last, but by far the most important, PCC earned itself a spot in one of the two American Conference Bowl Games with its 41-10 thumping of visiting Grossmont.
The Lancers got on the board first, when, the San Marino High School connection of Kade Wentz and Wheeler Smith, hooked up for their first of two scores.
Wentz found Smith for an 85-yard TD just 11 seconds into the second quarter.
PCC extended the lead to 10-0, as Cristian Contreras booted a 23-yard field goal.
Grossmont answered back, as Nathan Hughes’ 45-yard field goal got the Griffins to within 10-3 late in the second quarter.
Contreras, however, converted on another 23-yard field goal as the first-half ended, and the Lancers took a 13-3 lead into the locker room.
Whatever first-year PCC coach Robert Tucker said during the break worked.
The Lancers outscored the Griffins 28-0 in the third quarter and ran away with the victory.
Wentz finished 15 of 24 for 267 yards and three scores.
Wentz and Smith connected on a 16-yard TD to open the second half.
And Wentz found Kenneth Russell on a 48-yard score to extend the Lancers lead to 34-3.
Smith had four receptions for 123 yards and the two TD’s.
PCC dominated in all three phases of the game, including a 385-235 advantage in total offense.
The Lancers’ ground game tallied 101 yards on 43 carries, while Grossmont could muster just 13 rushing yards.
PCC’s defense was stellar all night, totaling eight sacks, and both Jordan Monroe and Brian Payne picked off Grossmont passes.
Roland Rodrigues led the Lancers with eight tackles, and two of Lucio Rodriguez’s three tackles were sacks.
Kaydon Spens blocked his third punt of the season, which set up a Contreras field goal in the second quarter.
The most entertaining play of the game had to be the fake field goal attempt, where Jabari Kindle found Carlos Ramirez on a 2-yard TD pass.
Up next: PCC will wait to get its bowl opponent and the date as to when that game will be played.
Below are a couple highlights, along with interviews with first-year coach Robert Tucker, defensive back Kaydon Spens and the San Marino connection of Kade Wentz and Wheeler Smith.
Box Score:
G: 0-3-0-7-(10)
P: 0-13-28-0-(41)
Scoring:
P: Wheeler Smith 85 pass from Kade Wentz (Cristian Contreras kick)
P: Cristian Contreras 23 FG
G: Nathan Hughes 45 FG
P: Cristian Contreras 23 FG
P: Wheeler Smith 16 pass from Kade Wentz (Cristian Contreras kick)
P: Carlos Ramires 2 pass from Jabari Kindle (Cristian Contreras kick)
P: Kenneth Russell 48 pass from Kade Wentz (Cristian Contreras kick)
P: Osvaldo Raigosa 5-yard punt block return (Cristian Contreras kick)
G: Perry Steele 14 pass from Brady Apt (Nathan Hughes kick)
Records: Grossmont (7-3); PCC (8-2)
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