Ineffective offense dooms Glendale Community College football

CHULA VISTA – For the first time in five years, the Glendale Community College football team began its season winless over its first two games.

Host Chula Vista Southwestern College made sure of that Saturday evening in interleague play.

The American Mountain League Jaguars found enough success at driving the football and stopping American Metro Glendale en route to a 27-14 victory at Devore Stadium in another wise sloppy game.

The last time Glendale began a season 0-2, it finished 1-9 in a forgettable 2011 campaign.

If there’s a saving grace after a season-opening 33-0 loss to Golden West and a 13-point defeat to Southwestern, it’s that both opponents are pretty good.

Golden West is ranked No. 8 in California in the latest JC Athletic Bureau poll. Though Southwestern is unranked, it’s listed in the “others” category just below the rankings.

“There was improvement tonight from last week, but we dug ourselves in so many holes,” Glendale Coach John Rome said. “We made so many mistakes. We dropped too many balls, made too many mistakes on offense and defense. It’s just way too many mistakes.”

In its loss versus Golden West, the Vaqueros tallied 185 yards of offense with the quarterbacking duo of David Madrid and Mark Powell combining for 118 yards passing yards and one interception.

On Saturday, Glendale again struggled on offense with quarterback No. 3, David Arriaga, who had only returned to the program three weeks ago.

The Vaqueros totaled 187 yards, but did score their first two touchdowns of the season.

While Arriaga threw for fewer yards (82), he did complete nine of 21 passes with two touchdowns versus no interceptions.

“This was like a scrimmage for him,” Rome said of Arriaga. “Given his circumstances, I thought he did well and he’ll be our starter next week.”

Yet, Glendale’s offense only totaled eight first downs and had trouble moving the ball.

“We’re just going to have work on mistakes and watch film and go over them and not make them again,” said Glendale wide receiver Jordan Lobianco, a Crescenta Valley High product.

Glendale’s offensive production paled in comparison to a gritty effort from the defense and special teams. Both units combined to force five turnovers, with both of Glendale’s scores coming off takeaways.

The Vaqueros also held Southwestern to only three points over the last two quarters.

Southwestern’s lone second-half score was a 37-yard field goal from Aedan Johnson at the six-minute mark in the fourth quarter that extended the team’s lead to 27-7.

Glendale made one last defiant march in its final offensive series of the game.

After a fumble recovery from defensive lineman Anthony Palei, Glendale took possession at its 29-yard line with 2:49 left and drove down the field with Arriaga hitting receiver Jonathan Fluker on a one-yard fade with 9.9 seconds left to seal the final score of 27-14.

“I wanted to make sure we got that average up to one touchdown per game,” Rome quipped. “At this pace, I’ll be happy if we get another score next week.”

Glendale had a couple of highlights bunched together in a first half in which it trailed, 24-7, at the break.

Down, 14-0, midway through the second quarter, the Vaqueros got back in the game when freshman defensive back Elijah Washington intercepted Southwestern quarterback Joe Hudson and returned the ball to the Jaguars’ 30 with 6:10 left.

“You know, it feels great to get a pick, but I was just reading the play like the coaches taught,” said Washington, who had one of the team’s two interceptions along with Josh Benson.

Arriaga immediately hit Randall Mincy for a 21-yard reception before connecting with Lobianco on an eight-yard touchdown pass into the corner of the end zone with 4:12 left in the first half.

The score brought Glendale within 14-7 of Southwestern.

Unfortunately for the Vaqueros, Southwestern owned the rest of the first half.

Hudson (11 of 22 for 98 yards, two touchdowns and one interception) hit on touchdown passes of 10 and 19 yards to receivers Ryan Stokes and Marquis Williams, respectively, in the first quarter to put the home team up, 14-0, after 15 minutes.

After Lobianco’s score, Southwestern back-up quarterback Michael Glass III connected on a 30-yard touchdown to Williams (seven receptions for 84 yards and two scores) to put the Jaguars ahead, 21-7.

Southwestern added another Johnson field goal before the half to take a 17-point lead.