Unbeaten Glendale Community College football team relishes next test

As the Glendale Community College football team continues to soar in the California Community College Football Coaches Assn. state poll, so does its confidence on the field.

The Vaqueros are off to their best start since 1988 and appear to be clicking on both sides of the line of scrimmage, perhaps putting them in line to contend for a Pacific Conference American Division championship.

After beginning division play with a lopsided victory, Glendale (4-0) will next face host Santa Monica (1-2) in another key conference contest at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“We’re coming off a nice [62-7] victory against L.A. Pierce,” said seventh-year Glendale Coach John Rome, whose team is ranked 17th in state after previously holding the 23rd slot. “The thing that stood out to me was playing well throughout all three phases — offense, defense and special teams — the whole way against Pierce.

“They are playing up to my expectations and now we try to keep it moving against Santa Monica, which has a very good team.”

The Vaqueros, who last began a season 5-0 in 1988, are also ranked second in the latest California Community College Southern California American Division Regional State poll. Santa Monica, ranked seventh in the regional poll, picked up a 44-28 home win against Glendale last season.

“We’ve had some close battles with them the last couple of years,” said Rome, whose team scored the game’s first 62 points against Pierce and came within less than minute from posting its second shutout of the season. “You have to play a clean game against a team like that. We made a few errors that cost us the last time.

“I thought we were much better up front on the line against Pierce. We know Santa Monica will have a strong offensive and defensive line, so we have to be ready to find a way to counter that.”

Glendale received another big effort at quarterback from freshman Andre Nunez, who completed 14 of 19 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, Nunez rushed for 122 yards in 16 carries. On the season, Nunez has completed 42 of 66 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns. Sean Murphy, a sophomore, has completed 21 of 42 passes for 322 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the season.

Rome said Nunez and Murphy have been a steady presence handling the signal-calling responsibilities for the Vaqueros, who are averaging 42.8 points per contest.

“Nunez brings an added element with his speed,” Rome said. “Sean is valuable because he’s got a lot of plays under his belt.”

The Vaqueros continue to excel on defense, as they picked up four interceptions against Pierce and have 11 on the season. Glendale yields 10.8 points per game.

Sophomore cornerback Dante Shipman intercepted two passes for the Vaqueros against Pierce.

Santa Monica had its three quarterbacks combine to throw six touchdowns in a 66-7 division-opening home win against Antelope Valley on Sept. 27. Christian Smith completed all four of his pass attempts for 44 yards and three touchdowns. Jake Dashnaw completed 20 of 38 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns and Steven Hamm tossed one touchdown pass.

Dashnaw has completed 50 of 104 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns for the Corsairs.