But the D

By Michael Ashcraft --

But the defense came up big to give Santa Monica College the "W."

"We probably shouldn't have won that game," admitted Coach Kelly Ledwidth.

Corsair QB Sam Vaulton threw three interceptions in the first half of Saturday's game.

But defensive lineman Tannen Vagle stripped the ball from LA Valley College in the red zone -- and Maximillian Palees scooped it up -- late in the first half to keep the score 10-7 in SMC's favor.

Then, after each side scored, Kayden Thomas intercepted a deep pass after LA Valley quarterback kept probing his side of the field, sensing defensive weakness.

"You can keep trying me, but at the end of the day, you're not going to succeed. I'm a dog at heart," Kayden remarked. "Perfect coverage. I read it right."

Santa Monica, which is better than its 3-4 record, stonewalled the Monarch's bullet-pass and QB-wriggle-run offense to finish ahead 31-28. Success on defense set up the offense to put up enough points with runs and receptions by Josiah Neos, Hassan Biggus, Tariq Brown, among others.

Even QB Vaulton ran for yards when he saw his teammates heavily covered and spied a hole to dart through and gain yards.

Late in the third quarter, Raejion Baker and Tannen made a critical fourth down tackle to halt the Monarch advance and give the ball to SMC on their own 21 yard line. The subsequent drive saw a spectacular diving catch by Gunnison Bloodgood.

Aside from being one of SMC's most explosive players, Bloodgood looked like Superman flying through the air. It was definitely one for the highlight reel. And we here at Patch think he's got the most appropriate name for an amply intimidating football player, both first and last. (Yup, either football or UFC.)

That drive ended in a TD by Josiah, the church boy from hell. (Yes, he goes to church, but he plays like a fire-breathing demon on the gridiron. He made three touchdowns Saturday.)

"I was really impressed with our guys and the way they stuck together and maintain their focus and composure and bounce back," Ledwidth said. "We were able to re-focus when it mattered. The turnovers were huge for us. The D played hard and when it mattered we had two or three turnovers in the red zone."

Tommy Meek, kicker and punter, had an impeccable game. He made every point at each opportunity handed him. His kickoffs were strategic. With his field goal after Joe's TD, the score was 31-13.

SMC QB Vaulton tightened up his passing in the second half -- not one interception. But in the first half, things did not look good with three interceptions. "One was a bang-bang play," Ledwidth. "One of them was on me; I tried to get fancy and set up a trick play but that didn't work. On the third one, their defense baited us and made a good play.

"Three red zone turnovers, and we probably should not have won that game."

As the minutes ticked away, Kayden suffered a groin injury, and the Monarch quarterback decided to test his replacement at defensive back. LA Valley again began to probe on the left to find weakness.

With some expert passing, the Monarch's hit gold, scoring a TD to bring it to 31-21.

On Santa Monica's drive, the Corsairs punted, hoping to wear the clock down.

LA Valley put on display the full force of their passing prowess, driving the ball down to SMC's 3-yard line. That's where the Corsair defense, late in the game, came up with another sensational rescue.

Noah Ghodooshim stripped the ball and Jai Guess recovered for a last-gasp turnover.

But the D.

After more plays, a late LA Valley touchdown was not enough to win. It was 31-28.

The Monarch onside kick, with 44 seconds left in the game, was ruled to be less than 10 yards, and possession was given to the Corsairs.

Read the rest of the Santa Monica College's football games:

• Loss against Antelope Valley
• Loss against Moorpark College.
• Victory against Orange Coast.
• Loss against Pasadena.
• Victory against Compton.

Michael Ashcraft teaches journalism at the Lighthouse Christian Academy in West Los Angeles. Two of his former students are on the SMC team.