Junior College Football Roundup : Glendale Dominates Southwest

A reunion of sorts went all but unnoticed in Glendale’s 45-24 Western State Conference victory over L. A. Southwest on Saturday night at Glendale High.

The Vaqueros (6-0, 5-0 in conference play), ranked sixth in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau, had their first-string defensive line intact for the first time since the season opener. The result was all too obvious for Southwest (3-3, 2-3).

Southwest quarterback Herman Tatum, the WSC’s second-rated passer, was sacked 4 times for minus-31 yards, threw 2 interceptions and was limited to 17 completions in 36 attempts for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Glendale was equally impressive on offense, where it was buoyed by a strong running game. Sean Hampton rushed for 188 yards and 3 first-half touchdowns in 20 carries and Doug Dragomer added 122 yards and a touchdown in 16 carries.

Glendale scored on all 5 of its first-half possessions and also scored on a 70-yard interception return by Mark McMillan to take a 38-10 halftime lead.

Hampton scored his third touchdown on an 8-yard sweep. Moments earlier, the Vaqueros were penalized twice for 15 yards when 3 sky divers landed on the field to celebrate homecoming activities 30 seconds before the end of the half.

Six minutes into the first quarter, Glendale had rushed for 82 yards, including 60 by Hampton, who capped a 12-play drive with a 5-yard scoring run.

Three plays later, McMillan’s interception return gave Glendale a 14-0 lead.

Southwest’s Donald Robinson returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards, but Glendale countered with a 44-yard field goal by David Bowen and touchdown runs of 10 yards by Hampton and 1 by Dragomer on its next 3 possessions.

Glendale’s passing game was ineffective as quarterbacks Keith Fitzgerald and Darren Fitzgerald (no relation) combined to complete 5 of 20 passes for 87 yards.