Four Touchdowns by Webster Carry Glendale Past Valley, 37-27

The Glendale College football program lists him as 5-feet-5 1/2, but Bobby Webster is probably even shorter.

Webster stood as tall as anyone, however, in the Vaqueros’ 37-27 victory over Valley in a Western State Conference game at Glendale High on Saturday afternoon, rushing for a season-high 186 yards and four touchdowns in 33 carries.

The 175-pound tailback ran around, through and occasionally over Monarch defenders to help Glendale rack up 288 yards rushing and 390 yards in total offense.

“We controlled the game from the get-go. They had us down a couple of times,” he said, referring to early 3-0 and 10-7 Valley leads, “but there was never any doubt that we would come back. They’ve got a good team, but we felt like we could run on them.”

Webster, who rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns in Glendale’s 21-12 victory against L. A. Southwest last week, scored on runs of four, two, one and six yards.

His third score gave the Vaqueros a 27-10 lead with eight minutes 28 seconds remaining in the third quarter, and his final tally put Glendale ahead, 34-20, with 10:38 remaining in the game.

After playing error-free football in the first half, Glendale (2-2, 2-1 in WSC play) made two big mistakes during a five-minute stretch in the second half, allowing Valley (1-3, 1-2) to narrow its deficit to seven points.

First, Valley defensive back Sam Edwards picked up Rafik Thorossian’s fumble and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

Next, Valley took possession on the Glendale nine-yard line after a bad snap sailed over punter Martin Boskovich’s head for a 40-yard loss.

Glendale’s defense stiffened and Valley settled for Cuneyt Karacuha’s 21-yard field goal, but the Monarchs had narrowed the Vaquero lead to 27-20 early in the fourth quarter.

“That was a very big series for us,” Glendale Coach John Cicuto said. “If they scored a touchdown there, they would have had a lot of momentum.”

Glendale responded on the ensuing possession to put the game safely in hand, marching 69 yards in eight plays, capped by Webster’s six-yard scamper around left end with 10:38 remaining.

Fullback Wes Bender (54 yards in seven carries), who had been ill much of the week, keyed the drive with a 43-yard run.

Valley quarterback Mark Mengoni, who started for the first time this season in place of Trendell Williams, completed 18 of 35 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns, but he threw two interceptions.

Glendale quarterback Marco Arcipreste did not throw often but was effective when he did, completing nine of 13 for 102 yards and a touchdown.