After using three different starting quarterbacks in its first three losses, the Pasadena City College football team turned to its fourth QB in four weeks in Isaia Ah-Hing. The freshman from Rosemead High isn't likely to be passed up again by the coaching staff after leading the Lancers to a 38-34 come-from-behind victory over Southwestern Saturday at Robinson Stadium. The win snapped the program's 5-game losing streak dating back to last year.
With 1:15 left, Ah-Hing kept PCC's hopes alive on a 4th-and-9 as he connected with running back Amad Andrews for a 19-yard, first down pass to the SWC 22. With 21 seconds left, Ah-Hing fired a 6-yard pass to wide receiver Stevie Williams, who fell back across the goal-line for the game-winning touchdown. Southwestern (2-2) tried a desperation bomb by Demonte Morris on the final play but the pass went beyond the back of the endzone capping the Lancers' first win in 2017.
PCC (1-3) gave interim head coach Steven Mojarro his first Lancers victory. Ah-Hing was sensational as he completed 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards and four TDs with no interceptions. Williams, a sophomore transfer, continues to be one of the state's top receivers as he pulled in 11 catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns.
Southwestern (2-2) held a 10-point lead and possession with 5:30 left in the game. But lineman Jasper Iheaso would return a fumble 15 yards to the Southwestern 10. Ah-Hing followed with a 10-yard TD strike to Williams, and with Enrique Lozano's fourth of five extra points, PCC had cut it to 34-31 with 5:05 remaining.
PCC trailed 7-0 but tied it on Ah-Hing's 24-yard TD pass to Williams with 31 seconds left in the first quarter. Behind 14-7, Ah-Hing completed throws of 25, 10 and 17 yards to help set up a 15-yard TD scamper by running back James Shaw that tied it just 2:50 into the second period. The Jaguars again took the lead at 21-14 but Lozano cut the advantage to four on a 42-yard field goal with 4:46 left before halftime.
Southwestern led 27-17 late in the third quarter when Ah-Hing lofted a 28-yard pass to tight end Jordan Bruner into SWC territory. Ah-Hing capped a short series by completing a 14-yard TD throw to wide receiver Cardell Jefferson with less than three minutes left in the third quarter that sliced the Jaguars advantage to 27-24.
For the PCC defense, safety Jared Henry had one interception as did letterman cornerback Jshoun Wolfe. Defensive lineman Javier Wallace made two sacks and safety Kavior Clark created two of the team's six pass breakups. Safety Andy Reyes and linebacker Matt Terlizzi both had six tackles.
Plagued by turnovers in the first three games (including 11 interceptions thrown), the Lancers did not give up the ball once against the Jaguars. Meanwhile, Southwestern turned it over four times to PCC. SWC had more total yardage, 446-354.
PCC opens SCFA American Metro League play on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Compton College. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
LANCERS GRIDIRON NOTES: Southwestern's electrifying return specialist Adrian Petty returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown for the game's first points. It was his fifth return TD of the season and third by punt return...The Lancers are 5-2 in their last seven home games...PCC is now 8-1 in its all-time meetings against SWC...Lozano is one of the busiest punter-kickers in the state. The All-SCFA letterman punted eight times for a 37-yard average (a long of 52), kicked off six times, three reaching the end zone but ran back by the Jaguars, tried three FG attempts (one made, had one blocked and a 48-yard attempt went wide left), and was 5-for-5 on extra point kicks. He also successfully excecuted an on-side kick on the second-half kickoff that was recovered by the Lancers...Even though he missed the team's season opener, Williams is fifth in the state in receptions with 26. His 138.7 yards per game is second in the state and his 8.7 catches per game tops all California players.
