Vaqs seek sunny outcome
GLENDALE — Having yet to win a game under the lights, the Glendale Community College football team will try its luck in broad daylight.
Day or night, Glendale college third-year Coach John Rome and his squad want to secure their first victory.
They’ll get another crack at it at 1 p.m. today, when Glendale faces host West L.A. in a Pacific Conference American Division contest.
The Vaqueros, who had their bye last week, are 0-6 and 0-2 in the division and will play their lone day contest in their 10-game schedule. The Wildcats (3-4, 1-2 ) are coming off a 24-21 division home loss against L.A. Valley on Saturday.
“I’m hoping our guys like playing in the day,” said Rome, who added that the Vaqueros used the bye to get numerous athletes healthy from the customary bumps and bruises sustained over the course of the long season. “Some of them have to get used to waking up early.
“We are looking for a turnaround and we’ve spent the last four weeks just trying to put everything together.”
Glendale last played Oct. 9 against L.A. Pierce, which turned back the Vaqueros, 42-40, at Sartoris Field.
In addition to striving to get healthy, the Vaqueros have looked for ways to shore up their defense. The Vaqueros are 36th in defense in Southern California, having surrendered 37.7 points per contest.
“We are still giving up points in bunches,” Rome said. “[West L.A.] has also given up a lot of yards, but we know that they are athletic and can make plays.”
The Wildcats have surrendered 29.6 points per game, good for 26th in Southern California.
Offensively, the Vaqueros and Wildcats are slightly closer. West L.A. averages 27.6 points per game (20th in Southern California) and Glendale averages 24 points per game (24th in Southern California).
“With our remaining schedule, I think you’ll see that the talent level is nearly common,” Rome said.
Rome said the Vaqueros, who have lost seven consecutive games dating back to last season, will have Steven Batista once again start at quarterback. Against Pierce, Batista completed 18 of 32 passes for 305 yards and tossed four touchdowns.
“He’s got the hot hand and we hope that will translate into continued success,” Rome said. “We had to get healthy during the bye and I think we’ve got ourselves healed up.”
