An All-State selection as a freshman who earned Player of the Game honors in the 2021 SoCal Bowl, linebacker Jordan Monroe figured to be a presence in the Pasadena City College football team's defense as a sophomore. He picked the right game to stand out as he made four sacks during PCC's 40-35, SCFA American Mountain League victory over visiting Victor Valley on Saturday night.
Monroe is just the second Lancer in PCC's football history to record as many as four sacks in a game as Alonzo Brooks holds the single-game record with 4.5 sacks set 45 years to the day in 1977 v. El Camino.
The Lancers, who improved to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in league play, controlled the contest for most of the game, leading 24-0 until late in the third quarter.
When PCC inserted its second and third-string defense, only then did Victor Valley's offense kick into high gear. In a wild fourth quarter, the Rams (4-5, 2-2) scored four touchdowns, two in a 16-second span with under two minutes left.
Leading by five, PCC Director of Football Operations/Head Coach Robert Tucker brought back Monroe and the first-team defense. This time, VVC' s offense stalled as PCC forced the Rams into four straight incomplete passes as Michael Prappas' quarterback hurry sealed the victory with 19 seconds remaining. Monroe finished with eight tackles, seven solos, a forced fumble and a hurry.
PCC took a 7-0 first-quarter lead when running back Isaac Glover took a short screen by quarterback Joshua Andrade and turned it into a 37-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter, Justin Vergara added a 32-yard field goal before a big play by the Lancers' special teams. A bad snap over the head of Victor Valley punter Eric Crutchfield was picked up by Noah Schwartz who raced 30 yards for a fumble return TD. The score with 2:48 left in the period allowed PCC to take a 17-0 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, reserve QB Jakob Doolittle tossed a screen to running back Juaquin Elliott who then darted toward the near sideline for a 50-yard touchdown pass. The 24-0 lead seemed safe but Victor Valley and quarterback Tyler Karen wouldn't quit.
Karen passed for four TDs in the fourth quarter, two to receiver Hosia Stokes. Fortunately for the Lancers, the team was able to put up 16 points themselves to maintain the lead.
Just nine seconds into the fourth period, Vergara's 36-yard field goal just cleared the crossbar that made it 27-7. With seven minutes remaining, reserve running back Caleb Gardner found an opening in the middle of the line and broke through for the longest play from scrimmage for PCC this year--a 78-yard touchdown jaunt. A fake extra point kick and conversion pass failed with Pasadena now ahead, 33-14.
Then an onside kick try by VVC resulted in Oscar Willis collecting the free ball and returning it 45 yards to the Rams 2. Isaacc Rodriguez followed with a 1-yard TD run for what proved to be the game-winning score with 4:26 to go. Vergara, who was perfect on all six of his kicks for 10 points, booted his fourth extra point for a 40-21 Lancers' advantage.
Pasadena concludes the 2022 season next Saturday, Nov. 12 in a 1 p.m. kickoff at AML leader Mt. San Jacinto College (8-1, 4-0).
PCC GRID NOTES: Vergara averaged 60 yards on eight kickoffs, including one for a touchback...Punter Nate Sanchez fired off the longest punt of the year of 61 yards in the third quarter that was downed at the VVC 12. Earlier he had a 42-punt that pinned the Rams at the 7. On seven punts, Sanchez averaged 36.6 yards but had four that were inside the Rams' 20...The duo of Glover and Elliott combined for 19 carries for 80 yards, three catches for 87 yards and two returns for 21 yards...Top offensive talent Ivan Ostry led the receivers with three receptions for 54 yards and added two carries for 22 yards...Carlos Ramirez collected a sack and now has 8.5 to lead the team. The Lancers have 36 sacks as a team for second in the state behind Santa Ana (38)...Michelangelo Loretto, Jaylon McGee and Prappas each totaled six tackles.