Glendale Community College football must finish strong

Following a bye week, the members of the Glendale Community College football team hope to be recovered from most of their nagging injuries sustained during the first half of the season.

As far as Glendale Coach John Rome is concerned, the bye came at a perfect time. Now, he’s eager to see how the Vaqueros stand up physically during the second half.

“The midseason is a great time for the bye week and it’s a time where you want to make sure the injuries are either healed or they have adjusted to the discomfort,” said Rome, whose team will meet visiting West L.A. in a Pacific Conference American Division home game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sartoris Field. “We are mostly fresh now and looking to move on and get some wins.

“We feel like we are in a position in which we can do better. Our team perseveres, and we haven’t rolled over against anybody.”

The Vaqueros (2-3, 0-2 in the division) will attempt to snap a two-game losing streak. The Vaqueros opened the division with losses against Antelope Valley and Santa Monica, which won the division title last season.

Glendale is coming off a 35-32 division home loss against Santa Monica on Sept. 29. The Vaqueros are in a stretch in which they play four of their final six games at home. They have yet to win at home in two appearances this season and have dropped their last four in conference dating back to last season.

“The first two division games we’ve played have come against the two most physical teams,” Rome said. “From here on out, barring injury, we feel like we will be playing teams that are closer to ours in terms of talent.”

West L.A. (1-4, 0-2) has lost three games in a row. It also had a bye last week after suffering a 52-35 division home defeat against L.A. Pierce on Sept. 29.

The Wildcats have won the last two meetings against the Vaqueros. West L.A. posted a 35-13 win against Glendale last season and recorded a 26-24 win in 2010 on a last-second field goal.

“We definitely want to be on the other side,” Rome said. “We know we will be up for another good game with them.

The Wildcats rank second in the division in yards per game at 460.5. By comparison, The Vaqueros are third (331.5).

West L.A. quarterback Dallas Lopez has completed 142 of 204 passes for 1,640 yards. He’s thrown 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Rome said focusing on Lopez will be a top priority for the Vaqueros.

“You have to be able to speed up your defense and know your assignments,” Rome said. “Their quarterback will also run, when pressed.

“It’s all about being assignment-oriented because they like to run a lot of options from the spread.”

The Vaqueros will look to expose West. L.A.’s shortcomings on defense. The Wildcats are yielding 41.5 points per game, last among the eight division teams.

The Vaqueros will turn to running back Collin Keoshian, who transferred to Glendale from College of the Canyons following a stint at Brigham Young University. Keoshian leads the division in rushing, as he’s rolled up 700 yards in 129 carries and eight touchdowns.

Glendale quarterback Nick Blackmon has completed 47 of 88 passes for 487 yards and five touchdowns.