Corsairs Flocked by Seahawks as Comeback Falls Short
Fighting to end a three game losing streak, the Santa Monica College Corsairs traveled to take on the L.A. Harbor Seahawks at Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington, California on September 30, 2017. Both teams came in with the same record, sitting at 1-3. Once again, the first half was anything but fruitful for the Corsairs. The Seahawks first struck on an 8-yard rushing touchdown by Jalin Scott that made it 7-0 in the first quarter. Then the Seahawks made the game 14-0 on a 45-yard pass from Scott to Andre Washington. On the kick return for the Corsairs Trevor Nofoa, had a solid 29-yard return, but fumbled the ball and allowed L.A. Harbor to recover with field possession. The Seahawks continued to pile it on, scoring on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Demetrius Reed to Jonathan Mudd which expanded their lead to 21.The first half ended with the Corsairs trailing by three touchdowns.
To begin the second half the Corsairs caught a break, on special teams Santa Monica's Amos Arrington forced a fumble and recovered the ball at the L.A. Harbor 8-yard line. The Corsairs offense took advantage, and quarterback Nick Hutchins scored on a one-yard quarterback keeper. The score was then 21-7 in favor of L.A. Harbor. The Corsairs defense forced yet another turnover, and SMC's Chris Wein who had 15-tackles this game, recovered the ball. A familiar theme this season, Santa Monica's offense was unable to capitalize and had to punt. SMC's defense caused yet another turnover, this time on an interception by Jordan Lawrence. The offense could not capitalize once again, this time kicker Vitor Sambugaro missed yet another kick.
A 27-yard touchdown catch from L.A. Harbor's Washington made the score 28-7 in favor of the Seahawks. For the Corsairs, a quarterback change took place. Paul Davis was subbed in for Hutchins. With the new quarterback change, SMC's offense sustained a rare drive. Davis completed multiple passes to Eric Bey, and the drive was capped off with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Trevor Nofoa.
The Seahawks were trying to run the clock out, but an incomplete pass on third down gave the Corsairs a chance to comeback. Starting at their own 22-yard line, the Corsairs struck back. Davis made big completions to Nofoa for 25-yards, Christian Franklin for 22-yards, and Elijah Boykin for 29-yards respectively. Davis then scored on a quarterback keep from 2-yards out to bring the Corsairs back to within one touchdown. With 44 seconds left L.A. Harbor recovered the onside kick, which ended the game 28-21 L.A. Harbor.
This now makes four consecutive losses for the Corsairs. When asked about the near comeback, Interim Head Coach Kelly Ledwith stated, "We just got to come out and start faster, that's kind of what we've been missing in the first half." When linebacker Wein was asked about the game, he said "I just got to get on film and we as a team just need to improve." Jordan Lawrence who had an interception, said "Right before that play I was telling everybody we need a turnover .. and it just happened to be me."
The Corsairs have a bye week and will try and regroup and put a halt to this four game losing streak. Afterwards they will take on Cerritos College at home, on Saturday, October 14 in Santa Monica, California.