The Vaqueros began conference play with a 35-16 win against rival LA Pierce College Saturday afternoon at La Playa Stadium.
Pierce College got on the scoreboard first when quarterback David McCullum scrambled 13 yards for the touchdown.
City College quickly turned things around on the next drive when sophomore quarterback Bradley Kleven connected with Jahmal Cornwell for a 58-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7-7.
“We already know what we can do we got a high ceiling on offense,” said Cornwell. “We just had to put it together and we really did on that drive, everything just started clicking.”
The team came out in the second quarter and scored within three minutes on another big play.
Kleven connected with running back Will Bayonne for his second touchdown of the day.
“A lot of the plays that we scored on we’re really good play calls,” said Kleven. “We watched the film all week and prepared for it, so we know what to throw against certain coverages.”
The remainder of the second quarter continued with both teams defenses coming up with stops and not allowing either side to get on the board.
Just as it seemed that the score would stay 14-7 going into halftime, Kleven found wide receiver Cyrus Wallace for a 17-yard touchdown. The team headed into halftime with a comfortable 21-7 lead.
Six minutes into the third quarter, City College continued its dominating performance when defensive lineman Jacob Shultz recovered a fumble and took it to the house on a 70-yard return.
The game featured the defense and the offense working on all cylinders and communicating well as a team.
This continued when defensive back Patrick Dill Jr. made a huge play, intercepting the ball and returning it for 55 yards, jump-starting the offense again. Dill had a big game on defense, with two picks on Saturday.
“I was just reading the quarterback and the zones,” said Dill. “I saw the receiver then I saw the ball and just broke in on it.”
The Vaqueros led LA Pierce 28-9 heading into the fourth quarter.
The team was again rewarded for their hard-fought efforts on another big play between quarterback Bradley Kleven and wide receiver Sammy Ortiz. Kleven Found Ortiz for a 72-yard touchdown pass.
It was Klevens’ fourth touchdown of the game and Ortiz’s first.
Pierce College was able to score again late in the game, but it was too late as the Vaqueros came away with a huge 35-16 win.
“Wins are wins and I’m never upset about a win,” said head coach Craig Moropoulos. “I’m proud of our guys they made some big plays on both offense and defense.”
The Vaqueros look to keep up its great start to conference play next Saturday as the team hits the road to face LA Harbor.
