Glendale Rallies to Beat Compton

Glendale College was introduced to a strange new phenomenon Saturday: the close football game.

The Vaqueros, who outscored their first 3 opponents, 124-13, and looked as though they might go unchallenged this season, were brought down to earth against Compton, winning only 27-9 in a Western State Conference game at Glendale High.

“I guess we thought we could beat anybody. They showed us we were wrong,” Glendale quarterback Darren Fitzgerald said. “It was a good experience for us. I know we won’t take any games lightly anymore.”

It took Compton (0-4 overall, 0-1 in conference play) just 13 seconds to become the first WSC team to score against Glendale as Henry LeBlanc took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was missed, and the Tartars led, 6-0.

Glendale (4-0, 3-0), which turned the ball over 3 times in the first half, scored with 47 seconds left in the first period on Doug Dragomer’s 6-yard run. David Bowen’s kick put the Vaqueros ahead, 7-6.

Juan Renoso’s 29-yard field goal put Compton back in front, but Bowen countered with a 39-yard field goal just before halftime to give the Vaqueros a tenuous 10-9 lead.

The “Vaq attack,” led by Dragomer (129 yards, 20 carries) and tailback Sean Hampton (128 yards, 19 carries), rolled in the second half, scoring 17 unanswered points. Rick Gomez scored on a 1-yard run, Fitzgerald passed 8 yards to Geoff Thran for another touchdown and Bowen added a 41-yard field goal.

Glendale held Compton to minus-8 yards in the second half and 86 yards for the game.