Pierce Plays Harbor Tough Before Falling Short, 21-13

After opening the season with losses to a pair of perennial junior college football powers, Harbor College was poised to feast on a small and inexperienced Pierce team Saturday night in the Western State Conference opener for both schools.

Instead, the Seahawks struggled again but managed to squeeze out a 21-13 victory at home. It was the first win for Harbor, which lost to defending state champion El Camino and Taft in its first two outings.

Pierce (0-2) is fielding a team of mostly freshmen after the school’s two-year layoff from football. But the Brahmas were within striking distance of their first victory in three years in the fourth quarter.

George Konstantinopoulos kicked a 32-yard field goal with 7:35 left to bring Pierce to within 14-13.

A reverse on the ensuing kickoff gave Harbor possession at its 40, however, and the Seahawks proceeded to drive for a touchdown in 7 plays.

Pierce took a 7-0 lead following a fumble recovery on the Harbor 35. Six plays later, quarterback Ronnie Lopez dove 1 yard for a touchdown.

Konstantinopoulos provided the rest of the Pierce scoring with second-half field goals of 28 and 32 yards.

As far as offense was concerned, neither team shined. Pierce had the ball inside the Harbor 20 three times in the fourth quarter and was only able to get three points.

The teams combined for 136 yards in penalties, 80 in the first half.