Photo Courtesy of Abe Photography / SC Jaguars
Playing Catchup—Southwestern’s offense has struggled to stay on the field and the exhausted defense has paid the price.
By Julio Rodriguez
Just when things were bad, they got worse.
In the battle of fierce felines, the Saddleback College Bobcats mauled the Jaguars, 53-3.
The previous week’s match was also a blowout loss at Long Beach, 65 – 14.
Southwestern started well, stopping the Bobcats run game early, forcing a three and out. It did not last.
The offensive line collapsed on a crucial third and nine. Saddleback Linebacker Enrique Amposta came around the edge and sacked SC quarterback Aleks Wojcik, forcing a punt.
Saddleback’s offense picked apart the Jaguars defense with both run and pass. They struck first with a 42-yard pass from QB Trey Kukuk to WR Marques Carillo Edgar.
With 30 seconds left in the first, the Jags ran a sweep to wide receiver Jovahn Young. He was pushed out and nearly dragged to the ground by his collar at Saddleback’s 44-yard line. In frustration Young pushed Saddleback linebacker Tristian McMurphy into the small metal fence behind the Jags bench. Both players in the heat of the moment butted heads and squared up. Refs immediately threw flags and separated the sides.
The play brought back 15 yards due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Young. All SC momentum evaporated.
A leaky offensive line left Wojcik little time for anything to develop down field. Same with the run. The defense just let Saddleback get whatever it wanted.
As things became for Southwestern there was more unwelcome news. With 11:32 left in the game Jags defensive tackle Keon Jackson was carried off the field with a lower leg injury. Next defensive end Andrew Sola went down with an apparent ankle injury.
A tough season limps along.
