The Pasadena City College football team saw its SCFA Metro League title hopes damaged but not removed following a 42-14 loss to East Los Angeles at Robinson Stadium Saturday night. The Lancers had a 5-game win streak snapped and took their first loss in Metro play this season, now at 4-1.
PCC (5-4 overall) struggled offensively and used three quarterbacks. The defense and special teams got caught giving up some key big plays against the Huskies, now 6-3 and tied with PCC for second place in the Metro at 4-1. The team's lack of discipline resulted in a season-worst 19 penalties in 210 yards.
ELAC jumped ahead 14-0 on a pair of touchdown catches by talented wide receiver Kenny Allen, who caught a 22-yard throw from starting quarterback Phillip Tran in the first quarter and a 7-yard toss by Paul Herrera in the second period. With 2:26 left before halftime, the Huskies faked a punt and running back Nicholas Hutson found a seam in the middle of the field and raced 49 yards for a TD and a 21-0 lead. With 31 seconds left in the quarter, PCC finally hit paydirt when starting quarterback Adam Besana delivered a 16-yard TD pass to Kyle Torres in the back of the endzone. Enrique Lozano's extra point cut ELAC's lead to 21-7.
On the opening drive of the second half, ELAC took advantage of three PCC penalties and made it 28-7 on a 1-yard QB sneak for a touchdown by Tran. With 3:10 left in the third quarter, the Lancers' defense parted as Toure Wallace broke free for a 73-yard TD gallup.
The Lancers had one last hurrah early in the fourth quarter when second-string QB Mario Bobadilla rifled a 37-yard scoring pass to tight end Jordan Bruner. The Huskies though would tack on one more big play, a 50-yard TD pass from Herrera to Karon Cooper to seal a 28-point victory.
Some PCC highlights included four receptions for 72 yards by receiver Stevie Williams, seven catches for 55 yards by receiver Forest Fajardo, and a team-high 49 rushing yards in eight carries by running back James Shaw. On defense, linebacker Matt Terlizzi made 10 tackles including an 18-yard sack. Linebacker Kimani Williams added eight tackles, broke up two passes and had a quarterback hurry. Defensive back Jshoun Wolfe intercepted the 20th pass by the Lancers this season.
Pasadena's quarterbacks had a tough evening as they were collectively sacked seven times and threw two interceptions. For ELAC, Trestan Kueneman and Garrett Rogers each made two sacks.
PCC kicker Enrique Lozano twice performed perfectly placed onsides kicks in the fourth quarter but PCC penalties nullified both successful recoveries. Lozano missed a 43-yard field goal earlier in the game.
Pasadena has a chance to tie for the Metro League title in its regular season finale next Saturday, Nov. 11 when the Lancers face first-place Santa Ana. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Santa Ana Stadium. A PCC win would give it a 5-1 league record, which could result in either a 2-way or 3-way tie for the league crown.