No. 11-Ranked Huskies lose to No. 7 Southwestern College
MONTEREY PARK, Calif. — For the second straight week, the No. 11-ranked (SCFA National Div. Poll 9/17) East Los Angeles College football team outplayed their opponent only to lose from their mistakes.
On paper, one would think ELAC won a defensive clash. They outgained Southwestern in total offense 194-151 with more passing (135-124) and rushing (59-27) yards and more first downs (16-13).
It was the Huskies special teams fluke plays, a fumble and key penalties that led to most of the Jaguars points and a victory for No. 6 Southwestern over ELAC, 38-17.
“Southwestern was a good, well-disciplined team who took advantage of our mistakes,” said freshman quarterback Miguel Aguero (Schurr HS). “The defense did a great job holding their own and keeping us in the (contest) for the majority of the game.”
Less than three minutes into the game, ELAC fumbled at its 24-yard line, which led to Southwestern’s first score, which took three plays. The Jaguars scored again on a blocked Husky punt and a 23-yard touchdown return and led 14-0 with 7:25 left in the first quarter.
ELAC outgained Southwestern 87 to 2 in yards entering the second quarter. The only score in the second was from a 9-play, 45-yard Southwestern field goal drive that put the Jaguars up 17-0.
A wild third quarter began with the Huskies limiting the Jaguars opening drive to two yards. ELAC followed with a 7-play, 40-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Cannan Chandler (Grace Brethren HS) that put the Huskies on the board, down 17-7.
ELAC freshman kicker Ricky Quintero’s kickoff was 57 yards, however, Jaguar DeAngelo Howard returned 92 yards for a touchdown. The Jaguars led 24-7. In two games, it was the second 92-yard kickoff return the Huskies gave up.
ELAC followed with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Wide receiver Terrell Robinson was a yard short of tying a 40-year ELAC record. ELAC was down 24-14 at the 8:33 mark in the third quarter.
After an ELAC punt with 5:49 left in the third, the Huskies followed with three straight penalties for 33 yards, handing Southwestern a 1st-and-goal from the 6-yard line. The Jaguar’s then scored on a 6-yard run and led 31-14 in the third.
ELAC quarterback Paul Herrera led the Huskies to a 6-play, 21-yard drive that led to a freshman kicker Juan Rangel (Mendez HS) 38-yard field goal.
Southwestern returned a Quintero 38-yard punt 32 yards to set up the final score, a 4-play, 23-yard touchdown drive with 7:44 left in the game for the game.
Aguero threw for 113 yards (16-of-25). Chandler carried 17 times for 43 yards and a touchdown. He hauled in 5 passes for 39 yards, both tops for ELAC. outside linebacker Garrett Rogers, an American Division / Metro League First-Team Defense recipient last season, had 13 tackles and a quarterback sack for a Jaguar six-yard loss.
UP NEXT
The Huskies, 2-3 overall, have a bye next Saturday and return to action in two weeks with its first-ever National Conference Northern League contest hosting No. 8 Long Beach City College (3-2) in Weingart Stadium beginning at 6 p.m.
The Huskies can defeat Long Beach If a more disciplined team shows up. “All we have to do is play our game, subtract the common mistakes and just take what they give us—simply do our job,” said Aguero.
Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).
submitted by Tadzio Garcia