MARAUDER FOOTBALL EARNS TOUGH ROAD VICTORY OVER EAST LA

Photo by Bill Sobalvarro

MONTEREY PARK - Prior to Saturday night's game against East LA College, Marauder receiver Jordan Wayne said he had, "a good feeling about this game," and "this is going to turn our season around."

Well Wayne could be right.

At least AVC took a big step in the right direction as its defense chipped in with another solid effort while defeating East LA College, 16-14, at East LA College.

"We played a really good game defensively. The last two weeks our defense our defense as played as well as I've seen it in 11 years as head coach," AVC head coach Perry Jehlicka said. "They're keeping us in games, while allowing the offense to grow."

Jehlicka said he has seen much improvement in Armani Edden, the true freshman quarterback.

"I think he (Edden) is getting better every quarter," Jehlicka said. "I thought our offense played well in the second half and we were able to run the ball better on the perimeter. We played a quality football team tonight and this was a good team win."

The Marauders (1-2), which captured their first victory of the season following losses to College of the Canyons and San Diego Mesa College, got off on a high note on their opening possession of the game. AVC drove 75 yards in eight plays which was capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Edden to Cahlil Canada, giving the Marauders a 7-0 lead.

The offense stalled, however, the rest of the second half, much in part due to the fact that it had poor field position. Jehlicka said three drives started inside the 10-yard line for the AVC offense.

"We had a great first drive," he said. "But we sputtered on offense the rest of the first half. We survived some things in the first half."

Still the Marauders' defense onlly allowed one touchdown in the first half and AVC trailed 8-7 after the first two quarters.

"Our defense carried us in the first half, but our offense started clicking in the second half," Wayne said. "Next week we have to put up more points, but this was a step in the right direction.This was a good victory for us. I know our offense will put up more points, we just have to get the chemistry right. I'm not pleased overall with this victory, but I'll take the 'w'. I know we can do better."

Paris Jones was the recipient of Edden's second touchdown pass of the game with 1:26 remaining in th third quarter putting the Marauders up 13-8. Edden finished the game 15-of-29 for 125 yards and two scores.

Leading 16-8, the Huskies (1-2) scored a touchdown with three seconds remaining on the clock to cut the lead to 16-14. However, AVC's stingy defense kept East LA out of the end zone on the final two-point conversion to seal the victory.

AVC returns home on Sept. 23 when it hosts College of the Desert (1-2) at 6pm.