EC’s defense leads the way in victory over Los Angeles Harbor College

EC+wide+receiver+Michael+Simmons+makes+a+13-yard+catch+during+the+Oct.+25+game+against+Los+Angeles+Harbor+College.+The+game+went+right+down+to+the+last+quarter%2C+but+the+Warriors+won+30-22.+Photo+credit%3A+Gilberto+Castro

EC wide receiver Michael Simmons makes a 13-yard catch during the Oct. 25 game against Los Angeles Harbor College. The game went right down to the last quarter, but the Warriors won 30-22. Photo credit: Gilberto Castro

The script was following the same pattern for the EC football team (3-4) as it held onto a 23-14 lead late in the third quarter, they could have let up on the pressure and just coast to another close loss.

However, this night was different.

The defense had something else in mind as it battered and blitzed the Los Angeles Harbor College offense causing seven turnovers during EC’s 30-22 victory Friday at Redondo Union High School (RUHS).

The win ended the team’s three-game losing streak and also gave the Warriors their first victory at their temporary home at RUHS.

“The way we practice,” freshman defensive end Victor Villarreal said. “We work hard, we run fast, everyone plays 100 percent. I’m blessed to have a coach like KT (Kenny Talanoa) who’s always pushing us, making us get better every day.”

While the offense was getting its footing, the defense was in the Harbor backfield before the center could hand the ball to the quarterback. Freshman defensive lineman Kenneth Davis was a force that wasn’t going to be stopped finishing the night with 1.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss.

“We’re faster than everybody,” Villarreal said. “We’re faster than everybody, we work harder than everybody and our offense is going to get better.”

The defense effectively held Harbor at bay allowing less than 100 yards in the first half. EC was up 9-0 after sophomore kicker Eddie Garcia chipped in three field goals until the offense got things going when sophomore quarterback Joey Notch connected with sophomore wide receiver Nicky Roos for a 14-yard touchdown bringing the score to 16-0 at halftime.

“We’ve been talking about it all week,” Roos said. “A lot of the stuff on the outside was going to be open. So, on my first touchdown I saw a hole in between two defenders, so I just attacked it right away.”

Harbor would answer back to start the second half when Notch threw an interception to Corey Butler who returned it all the way for a 44-yard touchdown bringing the score to 16-7.

EC wouldn’t take long to answer back as Notch, once again connected with Roos for a 4-yard touchdown giving EC a 23-7 lead.

“The second touchdown was way easier than the first one,” Roos said. “I was wide open.”

Notch threw three interceptions on the night which led to Harbor scores. After Roos’ touchdown, Darren Walker brought the Seahawks within nine points when he rumbled in for a 2-yard touchdown in the third quarter to make the score 23-14.

Sophomore runningback Kendell Sparks would put the game away after scoring on a 7-yard touchdown with 12:15 remaining in the fourth quarter. Sparks finished the game with 89 yards rushing and one touchdown while also catching four receptions for 42 yards.

“We just have to execute,” sophomore wide receiver Devante Jenkins said. “Sometimes we just hurt ourselves.”

The team will look to put together another complete game when it travels to Chaffey College on Nov. 1 at 1 p.m..