No Slip-Ups on Velasco’s Clutch Kick

Glendale College’s Sal Velasco could not help but be nervous. With Glendale trailing Moorpark, 7-6, and 20 seconds left, the sophomore kicker ran onto the muddy Moorpark field and prepared for a 19-yard field-goal attempt.

Velasco had been denied an extra-point attempt earlier in the game when the ball slipped through holder Chris Smith’s hands and bounced away.

Smith’s hands proved steadier the second time and Velasco’s kick sailed through the cross bars, cementing Glendale’s Western State Conference victory, 16-7.

“Our snapper rifles the ball back there so fast that a wet ball has a tendency to slip through the holders hands,” Coach Jim Sartoris said. “In conditions like this anything can happen.”

Sartoris’ words rang true when linebacker Ray Brackin intercepted a Dan Nagelmann pass on the first play from scrimmage after the field goal, rambling 25-yards for a touchdown.

Moorpark (5-2, 2-2) had been ranked 10th in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau and third in Southern California. Glendale (4-4, 4-1) was unranked.

“I think they would have liked to pass a little more,” Sartoris said. “We would have, too.”

Glendale quarterback Chris Smith completed 9 of 15 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Running backs Gene Harlin and Donnel Pumphrey combined for 214 of Glendale’s 318 rushing yards.

Repeat performance: Eagle Rock High’s Chuck Engel is trying to win All-City football honors for the second time. Engel was fifth in the City in passing entering last week’s game against Verdugo Hills, which Eagle Rock won, 33-21. The senior has completed 66 of 108 passes for 926 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Add Eagle Rock: Running back Emmanuel Washington was ranked third among City receivers last week. Washington, who had caught 27 passes for 506 yards and four touchdowns, scored against Verdugo Hills on runs of 1 and 4 yards and on an 82-yard kickoff return.