SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The SBCC football team was defeated at home for the first time this season on Saturday at La Playa Stadium, as Antelope Valley scored 31 unanswered to take a 37-22 win.
The Vaqueros are now 4-3 overall and 1-2 in American Pacific League play, while Antelope Valley improves to 6-2 overall, 3-0 league.
Santa Barbara got out to a fast start when Marcus Bellon returned a first quarter punt 54 yards to score. It was the second return touchdown of the year for the do-everything receiver.
After an AVC touchdown tied things at 6-6, linebacker Zach Schipper took the Marauder extra point back 97 yards for a defensive two-point conversion.
A 74-yard Jerry Martin run extended SBCC's lead to 15-6 midway through the second quarter. The runningback out of Southbend, Indiana finished with 103 yards on 17 carries, passing the century mark for the second time this season.
From there, it was all Antelope Valley. The Marauders picked off quarterback Alex Johnson three times, taking two to the house as they scored 31 straight points.
Following the second pick six, SBCC receiver Xavier Bonds returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, ending the day's scoring at 37-22.
SBCC actually outgained AVC 357-to-286 in total offense. Johnson threw for 276 yards on 24-of-50 attempts. Bellon was outstanding not only on special teams, but on offense as well, racking up 11 receptions for 138 yards, both Vaquero season-highs.
Fellow wideout Chase Wells had a breakout performance as well, pulling in seven grabs for 93 yards. He had just four catches in two prior appearances entering the game.
The Vaqueros had three sacks, including 1.5 from Jordan Tagaloa, one from Jake Lambden, and half a sack by Semisi Falemaka. Lambden and Tagaloa also led the team with two tackles for a loss each. This was the first game all year that SBCC did not force a turnover.
Santa Barbara will return to the road next weekend to face Moorpark in a 7:00 p.m. Saturday night game.
