No handshakes, no mercy, Corsairs dominate at homecoming
The Corsair football team continued its season of blowouts, beating the Los Angeles Pierce College Brahmas 61-0, at Santa Monica College’s homecoming on October 10.
SMC’s offense completed 31 first downs, gained 532 offensive yards and possessed the ball for 35 minutes. Their defense recorded 3 sacks, 2 interceptions and held the Brahmas to 4 first downs and 43 yards.
Corsair quarterback Dylan Moreno found his target 12 of 22 times for 150 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He connected with wide Receiver Elijah Aaron 4 times, averaging 15.3 yards per catch with 1 touchdown.
SMC coupled a dominant passing game with a strong run. Moreno scrambled 10 times for 77 yards, and running back Christopher Washington carried the ball 8 times for 94 yards and 1 touchdown.
“We talk all the time about the three most important things we got to be able to do,” said Corsair coach Kelly Ledwith before the game. “Outrun them, out-hit or out-block them, and then stick together as a team, and that’s the mentality our guys have here tonight.”
The Corsairs took an early commanding lead, scoring 31 unanswered points before the half.
To start the second half, Moreno threw a 22-yard dime to the wide-open Corsair receiver Ramon Galvez III. The play ended in a personal foul by Pierce’s two-way player, Tavion Blackmon, after he grabbed Galvez by the facemask and ripped his helmet off his head.
Blackmon immediately facepalmed, and the referees threw their yellow penalty flags as Dayawn Brown, a Brahmas defensive back (DB), tackled the helmetless Galvez from behind. Boos immediately rang from the homestands.
A blowout turned into a lopsided dogfight. Moreno threw a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Braydon Sanford for a touchdown, and kicker Jaiden Espadas nailed the point-after attempt to put SMC up 38-0.
Pierce College continued to battle, punt after punt, but ended every drive scoreless.
According to Pierce College Head Coach James Sims, the Brahmas entered the game missing nine starters on defense and five on offense, multiple of whom are sophomores. They’re also missing three coaches from their staff: defensive line, quarterback and special teams. “It’s like every time we turn around, two or three players are missing,” said Sims.
Players from both teams chirped, pushed and drew unsportsmanlike penalty flags. Brahmas defensive lineman Alex Figueroa tried to punch Corsair DB Jason Anderson in the back of the head after a scuffle, but missed. Anderson turned around and struck him, resulting in a Corsair ejection.
SMC lined up in victory formation to end the game. Both teams walked away afterwards without shaking hands.
The Corsairs extended their win streak to three and earned their first conference win after beating the Brahmas. The Corsairs are scheduled to play the Wolverines in San Bernardino on Oct. 18, before returning home to face the Grossmont College Griffiths on Oct. 25.