Glendora, CA(Football) – Coming in to today’s game, the Owl’s knew they were facing their biggest game of the season. The Owls have never shied away from tough competition facing El Camino, Mt. Sac, and Canyons in their non-divisional games. While all three of those games were big games, none was bigger than today’s game, because 1st place of the WSC South was at stake against 6-0 Glendale. The Owl’s, while not playing their prettiest game, played one of their best games coming out on top with a 10-8 win.
Not only was it a battle of WSC South undefeated teams, but also a battle of two of the better defenses in the conference. Glendale came into today’s game ranked as the best defense in the WSC, while Citrus was no slouch as the 6th best team defensively in the conference.
Citrus received the ball to begin the game, but after picking up a first down found themselves stopped by the stout Vaquero defense, and forced the Owls to punt. Punter Nick Somes laid out a beautiful punt that was downed by the Owl’s special teams on the Glendale 1 yard line. The Owl defense was stellar causing the Vaqueros to go 3 and out, and only gaining 1 yard on 3 plays. On the punt Mark Casteneda gave the Owls great field position after a 14 yard return to the Glendale 28. Three plays later Bryan Waggener connected with Charles Lewis for a 24 yard touchdown catch and run, putting the Owls up 7-0 after Kirk Cabana connected on the extra point.
On the ensuing drive, Glendale would drive all the way to the Citrus 31, before the Owls would force the Vaqueros to punt. Victor Valdez would place the ball inside the 1 yard line, forcing the Owls to start their drive from their own goal line. After a Brandon Sellers run for no gain, Bryan Waggener was sacked in the end zone by Valentine Grant giving Glendale a safety and putting the score at 2-8.
The 2nd quarter would become a battle of defenses, with both teams forcing each other to punt until the Owls got the ball on their own 4 yard line with 10:18 to go in the game. The Owls would rip off a 15 play 85 yard drive that would eat up over 9 minutes of the clock, before Kirk Cabana nailed a 21 yard field goal putting the Owls up 10-2, where it would stay until after half time.
With 5 minutes left to play in the 3rd quarter the Owls were forced into a 3 and out situation bringing up a punt for Nick Somes. Somes 32 yard kick was picked up by Jesse Ayers at the 42 yard line and taken all the way to the house for the Vaqueros only score of the day. After Glendale’s 2-point conversion failed the Owls still lead 10-8.
Both defenses would buckle down with neither giving much away to the other team. Glendale would see one more opportunity to score in the 4th quarter. After driving from their own 27, the Vaqueros had 1st and goal on the Citrus 7 yard line. After a false start penalty pushed them back to the 12, Anthony Cullors had back to back rushes of 4 and 1 yards each, giving the Vaqueros 3-G on the Citrus 7 yard line. QB Brendon Doyle would throw an incomplete pass to running back Shaun Kermah, and Glendale would bring in Esteban Moreno for a 17 yard field goal. Moreno pushed the field goal wide right, practically sealing the deal for the Owls.
In the win, the Owls were lead by QB Bryan Waggener who was 16-24, for 169 yards and 1 touchdown. Wide Receiver Charles Lewis caught 7 passes for 94 yards and 1 score. WSC leading rusher Leonard Mason ran for 82 yards on 22 carriers. Coming into today’s game, Glendale had been only allowing just over 60 yards rushing a game. Today the Owl’s ran for 98 yards in the game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Owls were led by Jason Assauna who tallied 9 tackles (8 solo, 2 assisted), including 1 tackle for a loss and 1 forced fumble. Demarcus Flanagan also had a stellar game with 5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 sack. The Owls as a whole held Glendale to only 8 first downs, 62 yards rushing, and 130 yards passing.
With the win, the Owls move to 4-3 on the season and 4-0 in WSC South play. The Owls will host one more home football contest next Saturday October 28th when LA Harbor comes to Citrus Stadium. Kickoff will be at 1:00 pm.
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