Glendale Community College football returns to Sartoris Field for home opener

It took a touchdown in the last minute for the Glendale Community College football team to win its season opener.

While Glendale Coach John Rome came away satisfied with the 35-31 nonconference road victory against East L.A. on Sept. 5, he said there are areas that need to be addressed.

“We sure didn’t make it easy,” said Rome, whose team will meet visiting Mount San Jacinto in a nonconference contest at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sartoris Field. “We made a lot of mistakes, more than a season’s worth from last year.

“I didn’t know how green we’d be until we took the field. We have to work on some things and keep showing improvement. We were able to survive some mistakes with coverage and discipline, so it’s a feather in the cap when you can do that and win on the road.”

On another positive note, the Vaqueros received a record-setting effort from freshman quarterback Grant Kraemer. Kraemer completed 27 of 45 passes for a team-record 488 yards and four touchdowns. Kraemer connected with wide receiver Elonzo Griffen for a 37-yard touchdown with 57.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift the Vaqueros. Griffen caught six passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

For their efforts, Kraemer and Griffen were selected co-American Conference Pacific Division Offensive Players of the Week.

“They were both outstanding,” said Rome, who led the Vaqueros to an appearance in the Patriotic Bowl last season. “Elonzo came up with that big catch and Grant had an awesome game.”

Glendale receiver Deondre Dunn finished with seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns against East L.A. Linebacker Johndely Mena collected a team-best seven tackles.

Glendale will look to beat Mt. San Jacinto for the second straight season. The Vaqueros picked up a 30-8 win last season in a game with temperatures that reached nearly 100 degrees in Riverside County.

Mt. San Jacinto began its season at home Sept. 5 with a 34-0 loss to visiting Antelope Valley.

Mt. San Jacinto finished with only 60 yards of total offense on 64 plays from scrimmage. Quarterback Jake Newton completed 19 of 34 passes for 75 yards, but the Eagles had even greater difficulty with their running game. They rushed for minus-15 yards in 30 carries.

“They are well-coached and they are improved,” Rome said. “It’s going to be another tough game, as it should be.”