By Joseph Dargan
Football lost at home to Antelope Valley College 16-14 after failing to complete at two-point conversion that would have tied the game with 2.7 seconds left.
On Saturday East Los Angeles College started the game on its heels as Antelope Valley College produced a 75-yard eight-play drive that culminated with a four-yard passing touchdown on its opening drive.
The Huskies’ offense struggled early with a fumble by freshman quarterback Phillip Tran on the team’s first possession of the game.
Tran’s fumble was negated by an interception from sophomore defensive back Trevon Borbick on the Antelope Valley’s next drive.
Once the Huskies made the proper defensive adjustments, Antelope Valley was held scoreless for the remainder of the first half.
ELAC’s defense was responsible for the team’s first points of the game, forcing a safety that made the score 7-2 early in the second quarter.
Tran left the game with a left shoulder injury and was replaced by freshman QB Paul Herrerra.
After a 19-yard punt return by sophomore wide receiver Dontavious Hall set ELAC up with favorable field position, Herrerra led the Huskies down the field to score a 4-yard touchdown by sophomore wide receiver Jamal Tate.
After a failed extra point attempt, ELAC held the lead at 8-7.
Sophomore defensive back Aubrey Mosley-Laughlin blocked a punt and sophomore defensive lineman Seone Vea forced a fumble that was recovered by sophomore defensive lineman Trestan Kueneman.
The second half started slow as both teams had trouble finding consistency.
The Huskies suffered from the same problem as last week’s loss to Allan Hancock College, where they dropped passes throughout the game.
“We have to continue making sure these guys are catching the ball with their hands and their eyes to eliminate as many drops as we can,” wide receiver coach, Marlon Barnett said.
A 12-play drive in the third quarter created momentum in the Huskies’ favor, but two consecutive dropped passes led to a failed rushing attempt on the fourth down, causing a turnover.
Antelope Valley College was able to capitalize by going on an 11-play, four-minute drive of their own.
That drive led to an 8-yard touchdown pass with a minute left in the third quarter.
After a failed two-point rushing attempt by Antelope Valley college, the score was 13-8.
The Huskies’ defense held up in the fourth quarter, holding Antelope Valley College to just a field goal for the remainder of the game.
ELAC’s three-running-back combination was productive throughout the game contributing a combined 167 rushing yards.
With the score 16-8, the game came down to one final drive for the Huskies.
With 2.7 seconds left, Herrera connected with sophomore wide receiver Kenny Allen for a diving 12-yard catch in the left corner of the end zone.
The touchdown was Allen’s third touchdown in three weeks.
The Huskies tried a passing two-point conversion to tie the game, but were unsuccessful.
Antelope Valley College is one of the two teams that handed ELAC a loss last season. This game also serves as the first home loss for head coach Bobby Godinez since he took over the team last season.
“We started at 1-2 last year and we ended with a 9-2 record. We have to remain positive and believe that’s the direction we are going in,” Godinez said.
The Huskies’ next game is on Saturday at 6 p.m. on the road against San Diego Mesa College.