A dream season by the best Southwestern College football team in a generation looked as if it might end in disappointment.

As if.

SWC’s irrepressible grid warriors pulled themselves off the shimmering turf of the American Championship Bowl and scored a pair of electrifying touchdowns to tie it.

Head Coach Ed Carberry and his Southwestern College football Jags celebrate their American Conference Championship victory over Santa Monica College at Olympian High School.

Then came the most memorable pep talk in recent memory.

“Our coaches said you don’t want to share your girlfriend, so why would you share the title,” said defensive lineman Jalal Yousofzai. “That’s why we had to win.”

Girlfriends can breathe easy following the Jaguars’ 45-31 thumping of Santa Monica City College. SWC scored on its final four possessions to turn a 31-17 deficit into the college’s first bowl victory since 2000.

Head coach Ed Carberry said a rigorous off-season training regime paid off. SWC’s better-conditioned players still had plenty of steam in the decisive fourth period. Earlier in the game, however, Carberry admitted he was worried.

“Late in the third quarter the score was 26-17 Santa Monica with the lead and there was a time when I remember looking at the scoreboard and thinking we had to score,” he said.

Score they did.

Replacement quarterback Frank Foster connected with wide receiver Bryant Mitchell for a 56-yard gain setting up a Charles Westbrook score from inside the five-yard line.

Offensive heroes were plentiful for the Jaguars. Westbrook scored on a five-yard touchdown run. Starting quarterback Brett Nelson scored on a two-yard run. Backup quarterback Foster threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell, who was filling in for the starter. He said he was immune to any pressure.

“It didn’t bother me at all,” said Mitchell. “It was like going back to high school. So I was prepared, but it was a great throw. I give all the credit to Frank.”

Foster was named the Most Valuable Player and Westbrook was named the Offensive Player of the Bowl for their outstanding performances.

This is the 2nd conference championship in five seasons for SWC under head coach Ed Carberry, who was typically nonplussed.

“Putting a championship team together is a community effort,” he said as he proceeded to thank the athletic trainers and custodians Vince Taijeron and Carlos Rodriguez. “Our first goal in this program is student transfer, the next goal is to win.”

SWC’s winning football players are halfway there.