Pierce Falls Short After Rally, 30-27

Pierce College learned an important lesson Saturday: quality is better than quantity.

Enrique Corona of Compton atoned for a missed 43-yard field-goal attempt midway through the fourth quarter by kicking one from 27 yards with 10 seconds remaining to overcome a 21-point fourth quarter by Pierce and lift the Tartars, 30-27, in a Western State Conference interdivisional game at Compton.

Compton (4-3, 2-2 in conference play), which ranks among the worst rushing teams in the WSC, was outgained on the ground, 296 yards to 157, but the Tartars ran for four touchdowns.

Pierce (1-5, 1-3) trailed, 27-6, in the fourth quarter before Kevin Moore of Compton fumbled a punt return and Terrance Watkins recovered for the Brahmas at the Tartar 11-yard line.

Jamaal Washington connected with Peter Gunny for an eight-yard touchdown pass on the next play to cut the deficit to 27-12 with 10:56 remaining.

Donald Carpenter ran for 64 of 80 yards on the Brahmas’ next possession, scoring on a three-yard run.

Jonathon Smith recovered an on-side kick to set up a 21-yard touchdown run by Armone Lochard five plays later that tied the score, 27-27, with 2:27 to play.

Compton drove 45 yards, the last 10 on a personal foul penalty against Pierce, to set up Corona’s winning field goal.

Carpenter rushed for 213 yards in 31 carries.