JUNIOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL THE BOWL GAMES : WESTERN STATE

Valley 25, Santa Barbara 25--The L.A. Valley, which who finished second in the WSC Southern Division, and the Vaqueros, who tied for third in the Northern Division, played to an unpopular tie at Valley College.

Valley Coach Chuck Ferrero tried to talk the officials into staying for an overtime period, which both teams seemed to want. But, according to Santa Barbara Coach Rich Cook, state junior college bylaws prohibit overtime periods.

“It’s stupid to have a bowl game and not be able to go overtime,” Ferrero said. “I guess the officials didn’t want to work anymore.”

An overtime period may not have been necessary if not for an unusual bit of strategy by Ferrero.

With his team leading, 25-17, following a six-yard touchdown run by fullback LaMonte Simmons late in the third period, Ferrero opted to go for a two-point conversion when one point would have forced Santa Barbara to score twice to win.

Tailback Cliff Robinson, who led all rushers with 112 yards in 19 carries, was stopped short of the end zone on the ensuing two-point try.

Santa Barbara tied the score, 25-25, early in the fourth period when John Pyle scored on a one-yard run and Ted Robison hit a diving Walter Brooks for a two-point conversion.

Valley (5-5-1) drove to the Vaquero 33 on its next series, but quarterback Trendell Williams was stopped a half-yard short on a fourth-and-three play. The Monarchs had another opportunity late in the quarter, driving to the Santa Barbara 16, but Jim Harper’s 34-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Ken Kahahawai with 40 seconds to play.

The Valley defense, number one against in the pass in the WSC, frustrated Robison, the league’s top passer, most of the game. The Monarchs sacked him six times, intercepted one of his 28 passes and limited him to 176 yards and one touchdown on 13 completions.

Santa Barbara (6-4-1) is 1-8-1 in postseason games.