Valley Wins but Ferrero Says ‘Fire’ Not Evident

After impressive wins in it’s first two games of the season, Valley College was a heavy favorite to beat L. A. Southwest--a team that is back after a one-year hiatus caused by budget cuts within the L. A. Community College district.

Valley did beat the Cougars, 38-20, Saturday in a Southern California Conference game at L. A. Southwest, but Valley Coach Chuck Ferrero was less than impressed.

“I’m not pleased with our effort,” Ferrero said. “We went through the motions and showed no fire. That’s about all I can say. It was a win.”

It was also another good game for Valley tailback Dondre Bausley, who entered the contest as the leading rusher in the state, averaging 198 yards a game. Bausley, who suffered a hip pointer in last week’s game against College of the Desert, rushed for 115 yards on 17 carries and scored touchdowns on runs of 2, 4, 1, and 2 yards.

Valley (3-0 overall, 2-0 in conference), ranked ninth in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau, scored on its first five possessions en route to a 31-6 halftime lead.

Bausley score two touchdowns in the first quarter, one in the second, and added his fourth with four minutes left in the third quarter, which put the Monarchs ahead, 38-6.

Valley, which rolled up 689 yards in total offense last week against Desert and was averaging 586 yards a game, managed 384 yards against the Cougars (1-2, 0-2).

Sophomore quarterback Barry Hanks completed 7 of 16 passes for 104 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Davis that gave Valley a 21-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

L. A. Southwest quarterbacks Johnny Jackson and Dennis Strachan combined to complete 21 of 43 passes for 345 yards. Valley registered five sacks, three by linebacker Joe Zacharia. Valley also handled L. A. Southwest’s running game, limiting the Cougars to zero yards on 18 attempts.

Bausley’s first touchdown came after L. A. Southwest botched a punt attempt from its own 20. The snap sailed over the head of punter Edward Lairs to the two-yard line where Zacharia recovered. One play later, Bausley went off right tackle into the end zone to put Valley ahead, 7-0.

Valley’s James Reaves caught the turnover bug after the Cougars’ next possession, fumbling a punt at the Monarch 7. Three plays later, L. A. Southwest’s Reggie Reed scored on a three-yard run.

Brian Smith set up Valley’s final touchdown when he returned the ensuing kickoff 66 yards down the right sideline to the Cougar 22. Three plays later, Bausley scored from four yards out with 4:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Strachan connected with Tim Campbell on a 40-yard touchdown for L. A. Southwest late in the third quarter and again on a 40-yard play with 5:35 left in the game to conclude the scoring.