Glendale falls to Santa Ana 62-35 in regular season home finale at Sartoris Field Nov. 13
The gravity of playing for a potential tie for the Metro League Title and a bid for a bowl game was not lost on the GCC Football Team Saturday Nov. 13 in its 2021 regular season home finale against Santa Ana College at Sartoris Field. The occasion was celebratory as the sophomores were honored before the game and Superintendent/President Dr. David Viar flipped the coin before the game started.
But when push came to shove, it was the Dons from Santa Ana doing the celebrating on the heels of a 62-35 victory that not only sealed the league title but exhibited the dominance that the visitors from Orange Country played with during an undefeated five game league season. They rolled up 632 yards of total offense compared to 392 for GCC but in the early stages the Vaqueros made it a game against Santa Ana.
Glendale led 7-0 in the early stages of the first quarter on a one-yard run by quarterback Nick Garcia and extended that to 14-7 when Garcia hooked up with receiver Nick Johnson on a 62-yard scoring play to make it 14-7 but that would be the last lead GCC would have as Santa Ana scored three times to lead 28-14 after the first quarter and trailed the remainder of the game.
The GCC offensive effort was paced by Garcia, who passed for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 21 completions in 37 attempts but also three interceptions under constant pressure. Johnson was the leading receiver with six catches for 91 yards and two scores and Elijah McGee was the leading rusher for the Vaqs with seven carries for 67 yards and one touchdown. Enrique Diaz paced the defense with five tackles, four solo and Jaren Flowes and Absalom Leiva had four tackles each.
There is a possibility that Glendale will be making up its game against College of the Desert Friday Nov. 19 but that will be decision made by both schools. The game was originally scheduled for September 25.