A bowl game was on the line when Southwestern College faced the 1-8 Orange Coast College Pirates to close the regular season.
Mission accomplished.
SC will play in the Southern California Bowl Saturday at Long Beach City College.
The Jaguars clinched their sixth bowl game appearance in the Ed Carberry era in convincing fashion with a 41-0 victory.
Tempers flared and shoving ensued halfway through the first quarter, which was the only fight by the visiting Pirates all night.
It may be true that the best defense is a good offense, but it is even better when the defense contributes to the offense. Sophomore defensive back Atoatasi Fox started the scoring with a 65-yard interception return touchdown to put the Jaguars up 7-0. They did not look back.
SC’s defense created chaos throughout the game with four sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries. Three of the sacks were made by freshman defensive lineman Brian Williams, who dominated the Pirates’offensive line.
Defensive Coordinator Dionicio Monarrez said he was impressed with Williams’ performance.
“I think he is finally coming into his own, starting to understand what he’s capable of doing,” Monarrez said. “He is only a freshman, but he had a tremendous game and did a great job.”
On offense, the Jaguars were in attack mode all night. Despite missing starting quarterback Josh Owen and running back Keylan Chapman, they ran and passed almost at will.
Sophomore running back Deandre Daniels had 15 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown, while Cary Enos, in his first start of the season, went 9-15 with 156 yards and three touchdowns filling in at quarterback
Enos said he felt comfortable.
“I thought we played really good,” he said. “We had a slow start on offense, but we really started going and once I got into my groove, we had a really good night.”
Freshman receiver Davion Johnson contributed four receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown.
Carberry said Johnson’s speed was an x-factor.
“Everybody who plays us has to know where he is,” he said. “He is a touchdown waiting to happen. He is so fast so they have to be ready for him.”
His 30-yard TD catch in the third quarter sealed the game for the Jags, as well as their spot in the bowl.
