Glendale strikes early and often in 40-23 win over L.A. Valley for second straight victory
In a game that was at an emotional ebb for four quarters and 60 minutes, the GCC Football time rode a 31-3 halftime lead into a 40-23 win at L.A. Valley College Saturday Nov. 2 at Monarch Stadium. The game was the team's first meeting against former Vaqs Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Lester Towns who left Glendale in Mid-August to take the full time head coaching job at Valley.
The visitors let their play do the talking early as Glendale ran up a 31-0 lead before Valley salvaged the half with a field goal and added three second half scores to make the final score closer than it was on the field. Sophomore quarterback Jorge Amaya was 10 of 13 in the first half for 124 yards and one touchdown pass to Jalen Lawrence and running back Elijah Washington found the end zone three times and rushed for 71 yards on 18 carries as the offense racked up 263 yards.
But it was the defense that really set the tone for the game as sophomore linebacker Michael Stanford continued his outstanding play this year with 10 tackles, four solo, two tackles for a loss, one interception and a blocked punt he almost returned for a touchdown. Christian Alvarez added six tackles and returned a blocked extra point for an 85-yard safety to ice the game for the Vaqueros.
Glendale, now 2-2 in American Conference play and 2-6 overall, hosts Santa Ana College at 1 pm Saturday Nov. 9 on a day that the sophomores will be honored in the final home game of the year at Sartoris Field.