Vaqueros Clinch Outright APL Title in Blowout Win at Santa Monica
SANTA MONICA, CA – The SBCC football team capped a magical regular season on Saturday at Santa Monica (2-8, 1-4), extending a program record with their ninth straight victory by scoring the first 23 points of the game and putting up 51 before halftime in a 65-27 victory.
The Vaqueros (9-1, 5-0) – who last week clinched at least a share of their first conference title since 1991 – take the American Pacific League crown outright with yet another convincing win. They also set an all-time school record for points in a season with 455.
SBCC relied on its run game once again, enjoying a huge 214-83 edge in rushing yards for its sixth 200+ rushing performance of the year. A balanced attack saw Mekhi Norfleet post a team-high 73 yards and a score on just four carries, while Brandon Smith went for 61 and Cameron Woolsey added 56 with two touchdowns.
Following a theme of many of their wins this season, the Vaqueros got started quickly. Defensive back Blake Vollbrecht picked off Santa Monica quarterback Michael Cruz's pass on the first play of the game. After a 10-yard Norfleet rush on SBCC's first play, the second-year back would take it 53 yards to paydirt on the next down, giving the Vaqueros a 7-0 advantage less than a minute in.
Two possessions later, SBCC's defense struck again. This time, it was Lamar Campbell making the interception and returning it 20 yards for the defensive score.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Corsairs (2-8, 1-4) were backed up by a holding penalty and the Vaqueros capitalized yet again, forcing a fumble that led to a safety. SBCC got great field position from there, and a 21-yard completion from Alex Johnson to Damare Ward led to a one-yard touchdown run for Johnson several plays later. That was his sixth rushing touchdown of the season, putting his team ahead 23-0.
Johnson – who finished 10-of-16 through the air for 129 yards – also threw for three touchdowns, all before halftime. He connected with Cameron Woolsey for a 27-yarder, BJ Phillips for 13 yards and wide receiver Chase Wells from 27.
The Vaqueros didn't let up coming out of halftime. Quarterback Trenton Luera entered the game and ran one in from 10 yards out. Woolsey capped off his huge day with a 21-yard scoring run a few minutes later. His third score of the day made it nine touchdowns for SBCC in its first 10 possessions.
The SBCC defense ended the day with five sacks – good for their second-highest total of the year – led by linebacker Nehemiah Verhoef's two. Lamar Campbell had a team-high four solo tackles to go with his pick. Linebacker Aneterea Lealao also had his first interception of 2022 in the third quarter.
With its sights set on a bowl game to be played on either Nov. 26 or Dec. 3, Santa Barbara will now look ahead to next Friday, Nov. 18 when bids will come out.