Coming in Clutch at Valley

Lucas Weiss | Staff Writer

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair wide reciever Myles Parker (5) being stoppped by Valley College center back Dante Johnson Jr. (3) at SMC Corsair Field on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Akemi Rico | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair wide reciever Elijah Saperstein-Johnson (0) leaps for the ball at SMC Corsair Field on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Akemi Rico | The Corsair)

Valley College quarterback Daylen Ortiz (17) kicks the ball at SMC Corsair Field on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Akemi Rico | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair wide reciever Elijah Saperstein-Johnson (0) holds the ball at SMC Corsair Field on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Akemi Rico | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair wide reciever Myles Parker (5) dodges Valley College cornerback Dante Johnson Jr. (3) at SMC Corsair Field on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Akemi Rico | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair quarterback Dylan Moreno (1) getting tackled by Los Angeles Valley College players at SMC Corsair Field on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Akemi Rico | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair offensive linebacker/defensive lineback Jordan Towns IV (52) attempts to bring down Los Angeles Valley College quarterback Wesley Tshimanga (18) at SMC Corsair Field on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Akemi Rico | The Corsair)

Corsair football beats the Monarchs in a squeaker.

On Nov. 4th at Corsair Field, the Santa Monica College Corsairs football team beat the Los Angeles Valley College Monarchs 34-29 in a game that went down to the wire.

LA Valley started the game off strong, going up 14-0 early in the second quarter with a pair of rushing touchdowns by Graham Blusbaugh. From there, SMC took over, scoring three touchdowns in the quarter and putting the score at 21-14 by halftime. Quarterback Dylan Moreno stood out during the run, throwing for the first two touchdowns and running the ball in for the third.

SMC continued their momentum in the beginning of the third quarter with a 13-yard pass caught by wide receiver Andre Johnson. LA Valley was able to convert on a one-yard run as well, making the score 28-21 at the end of the third.

In the fourth quarter, LA Valley’s Julius Earl stepped in front of a pass for an interception and ran it back for a touchdown for a pick-6. A following two-point conversion put them up by one. With about two minutes left in the game, running back Melvin Hicks ran the ball 15 yards for a touchdown, putting the Corsairs on top and winning the game.