Bowling ’em over

There is no Willie Nelson music pumping out of the Southwestern College football team’s locker room after scoreboard-rattling victories, but this team just can’t wait to get on the road again.

SWC’s season without a home stadium has been worthy of “On the Road” or “The Road Warrior,” but even Jack Kerouac and Mel Gibson would struggle to keep up with the Jaguar’s high-octane offense. Following a 34-11 throttling of San Diego Mesa College, SWC is 5-1 and sniffing a bowl game.

Maybe the best offense is a good defense, but a good offense is also cool. SWC has averaged more than 40 points a game and is currently Southern California’s top-ranked offense. Quarterbacks Brent Nelson and Frank Foster are vying for “King of the Road” with tandem signal calling. No quarterback controversy here, according to head coach Ed Carberry

“Foster’s first collegiate play was a 65-yard touchdown pass against West L.A. in week one,” said Carberry. “He’s an explosive runner and passer.”

Foster also completed a 99-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Vernon Johnson. The play tied a school record and it energized everyone, said Carberry, including Johnson.

“It was different from my 99-yard touchdown last season because once I got past the first two defenders I was going to score a touchdown,” said Johnson.

SWC put up 660 yards of offense against the San Bernardino Wolverines. Nelson was 15 out of 24 for 273 yards. Foster was 13 of 18 and the Jag defense forced 11 punts. Safety Kellon Delarosa had an interception. SWC won 42-3.

Coincidently, SWC also beat Los Angeles Valley College by the score of 42-3.

Jaguar offense scored 43 points against Palomar College, but Palomar scored 47 – the final six at the very end of the back-and-forth contest.

“The game was a flag fest,” said Carberry.

SWC committed 15 penalties while Palomar had 14. In a disastrous first period the Jags lost a fumble on a punt, gave up an interception for a touchdown and got torched on a touchdown pass. After a tongue lashing from Carberry, the game turned.

“The Jags got back into the game by finding their rhythm on offense by getting first downs and maintaining ball control,” he said.

SWC grabbed the lead 28-24 at halftime setting up a furious fourth quarter. The Jags scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion with less than two minutes left.

“I wish the game was over after the two-point conversion,” said Carberry. “It was one of those games where the team with the ball last would win.”

Unfortunately for SWC, Palomar had the final possession and scored the winning touchdown as time ran out.

SWC next plays Compton College away and Mt. San Jacinto college on October 27. The 10-game season ends November 10 at Chaffey College.