PCC Football Finally Wins at Robinson Stadium, Defeats LA Harbor, 19-7

The home fans finally had something to cheer about Saturday. The Pasadena City College football team won for the first time at Robinson Stadium since 2011 by posting a 19-7, SCFA non-conference victory over Los Angeles Harbor.

The Lancers snapped a 13-game losing streak on its home field (although a loss in 2012 was later reversed to a forfeit win over Cerritos). PCC overcame making six turnovers by creating five against Harbor, four on interceptions.

Scoreless after the first quarter, the Lancers moved methodically on a 14-play drive, including a fourth down conversion on a 7-yard pass from quarterback Dejon Williams to receiver J. Turner Jackson inside Seahawks’ territory. With 14:09 left in the second period, kicker Franklyn Cervanka booted a 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 PCC lead.

On the next offensive series, Williams connected on a 29-yard pass to running back Zander Anding to the Harbor 3. After three straight stops on running plays, PCC decided to go for it on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Receiver Ahmad Springer lined up at quarterback and lofted a short TD pass to reserve quarterback and part-time tight end Trevor Hampton. Cervanka’s extra point made it 10-0 with 9:16 before halftime.

On the ensuing series, the Lancers defense held strong on a Harbor drive that ended on downs at the PCC 10. Pasadena turned it right around to score on its third straight series. Jackson would collect a short pass from Williams and raced 67 yards down the sideline for a touchdown with 4:32 left in the quarter. A blocked extra point left PCC ahead 16-0 going into the intermission.

PCC’s only score in the second half resulted off of two big plays. It started with the first of two interceptions made by sophomore defensive back Marlon Dobbins. The Lancers started a series from their own 3, but the line made a key block that allowed running back Justin Carroll to break loose for a 69-yard run deep into Harbor territory. Cervanka capped the drive with a 30-yard field goal with 9:07 remaining in the game.

The Lancers totaled 26 first downs and 448 yards offense to just seven first downs by Harbor and 274 yards. The Seahawks only touchdown came on a PCC fumble that allowed Brilliant Taylor to dive into the end zone just 2:16 into the third quarter.

Carroll finished with 109 yards in 12 carries while Williams passed for 271 yards, completing 17 of 26 throws with two interceptions. Jackson (123 yards), running back Ruben Lawhorn (58 yards) and Springer (30 yards) led the team with five receptions each. Lawhorn added  49 yards rushing in 11 attempts.

On defense, defensive back Robert Morgan made an interception, broke up two passes and had four tackles. Dominique Carr added an interception and linebacker Terry Wilson led the team with six tackles.

The 1-2 Lancers return to action next Saturday, Sept. 27 when they travel to face College of the Canyons. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.