Drew Wilson helped finish the LBCC football season with a pick six touchdown win against Allan Hancock College with a score of 31-17 during their homecoming game on Nov. 20.
LBCC hosted the last game of the 2021 season against Allan Hancock College at Veterans Stadium two weeks after the originally scheduled game was canceled due to three positive COVID cases.
The first quarter started with a touchdown by LBCC’s Trenell Ridgley, a nine yard pass from quarterback Derrach West and a three point field goal kick from Ryder Padilla with five minutes remaining.
Allan Hancock player Dior Kennedy’s nine yard run gave the team their first touchdown. Soon after, Issac Yanez’s 20 yard catch from Mike McCoy gave the team another seven for a total of 14 in the second quarter.
While it appeared as though Allan Hancock College would keep the lead going into halftime, LBCC’s Zack Leet caught a two yard pass which gave the team a touchdown in the last one second remaining. The second quarter ended with a total of 17-14.
The third quarter was back and forth for both teams until LBCC’s defense forced a two point safety during the last three minutes of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, LBCC put in backup quarterback Blaze McKibbin who successfully threw an 11-yard pass to wide receiver Jaylon Morgan, which gave LBCC an additional six points. Padilla made an attempt for one more point but failed on the field goal kick.
Allan Hancock College’ kicker Colton Theaker completed a 50-yard field goal but failed to overtake LBCC’s lead.
The homecoming game concluded with a spark when LBCC’s Drew Wilson intercepted the ball and scored a touchdown at the one second mark, ending the game 31-17 and ending the football season 4-6.
LBCC head coach Brett Peabody was proud of the team and staff this season, and rejoiced at the final second touchdown of the game.
“We stuck together after the end of the first half and we had time to show our resiliency of what our team is about and in the second half we finished them properly,” Peabody said.
Although West was happy about the win, he was sentimental at the end of the game.
“It’s been a bittersweet moment since this morning, knowing that this is my last game at Long Beach City. … We had our ups and downs and I am proud of my guys for the play we did tonight,” West said.
Interim Athletic Director Kaladon Stewart attended the homecoming game to celebrate the end of the season and is excited about what 2022 will bring for the athletic department.
“It’s really a special game, the football team has persevered through a lot of challenges this season and it’s great to be able to have the president, executive vice president, Board of Trustees, student trustee and ASB president to have a fun family feel,” Stewart said.
The LBCC football team will return with new and returning athletes for the fall 2022 season.