Valley a Bit Too Much for West L.A.

There were more flags than at the United Nations. There was a malfunctioning scoreboard that kept going blank. There was even a zany two-point conversion.

And, oh yes, there was a football game in there somewhere.

The outcome was a victory for Valley College over West L.A., 27-8, in a Western State Conference South Division game Saturday afternoon. The show, however, was pure vaudeville.

The teams were penalized 26 times for 235 yards, and West L.A. standout running back Michael Black was ejected late in the third quarter for a flagrant foul.

Valley (2-0, 1-0 in conference play, 1-0 in the division) controlled the action--when a Valley or West L.A. player wasn’t caught in one violation or another--and jumped to a 20-0 lead before the Oilers (0-2, 0-1, 0-1) spoiled the shutout with less than two minutes left.

Valley outgained West L.A., 357-192, and had 23 first downs, including 14 on passing plays.

Valley sacked Oiler quarterback Ennis Powell four times, with linebacker Brett Nordyke getting three of them. Defensive back Dwyer McKeith intercepted two of Powell’s passes.

All in all, a reasonably satisfying result for Monarch Coach Jim Fenwick.

“That was a tough game,” Fenwick said. “They are a physical team and they are fast. . . . Bottom line is we came down here to win and we won.”

Valley quarterback Jim Arellanes, a transfer from Northern Arizona, again displayed poise and touch by completing 17 of 26 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown in little more than two quarters.

Last week, in a 41-24 victory over Santa Barbara, Arellanes was 28 of 40 for 402 yards and three touchdowns.

Arellanes, who completed passes to nine receivers, made himself noticeable on Valley’s first possession, taking the Monarchs 88 yards in 10 plays and capping the drive with a one-yard run for a 7-0 lead. His touchdown pass came on a five-yard toss to Mark Mahone with 55 seconds left to play.

The Monarchs also used Davis Delmatoff at quarterback, and the former Hart High and Pierce standout responded with 11 completions in 16 attempts for 92 yards. Delmatoff did not play last week because of a sore foot.

Valley’s Tim Cronk kicked 40- and 30-yard field goals, and the Monarchs added a one-yard touchdown run by Deriek Charles to build a 20-0 cushion late in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore running back Jesus Williams scored for West L.A. on a five-yard run with 1:57 remaining.

The Oilers lined up for the extra-point attempt but the snap was high and kicker Omar Moreno scrambled before lateraling to Ron Peebles who then connected with Chris Miller in the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Valley’s Brian Comer had four receptions for 84 yards, and Jason Leonard caught seven for 78 yards.