The Voice - Student Newspaper

Gauchos lose to struggling Mesa at Homecoming, 14-12

By Warren Brannoch
Sports Reporter, The VOICE

It was Homecoming at GCC on Oct. 17, but the Mesa Thunderbirds, searching for their first win, were looking to spoil the party.

Right away on the first drive of the game, GCC gave up the football by fumbling it deep into their own territory.

This led to the Thunderbirds first touchdown of the game on a 13 yard pass making the score 7-0 Mesa.

On the Gaucho's next possession, running back D'Angelo Jones fought his way past the Mesa defenders, breaking at least five tackles before he ran the ball into the endzone.

When Glendale lined up for the extra point, the kick was too low, and missed the goal post, making the score 7-6 Mesa.

Just before the first quarter ended, Glendale was looking to take the lead with a field goal, but missed it.

Later in the second quarter, when it looked like Glendale was about to punch the ball into the endzone again, they couldn't hold onto the ball, fumbling on Mesa's eight yard line.

After the defense was frustrated with the offense turning the ball over, they forced a turnover themselves, but the offense could not capitalize, as the score going ino the half was still 7-6 Mesa.

When the Thunderbirds got the ball again, they began the second half just like they started the first, scoring on their first possession on a 42 yard pass, making the score, 14-6 Mesa.

When Glendale got the ball back, they had to convert on a fourth down play to continue their drive, and it paid off, leading to a touchdown run by D'Angelo Jones, making the score 14- 12, Mesa.

The Gauchos lined up for the two point conversion to try and tie up the game, but failed to convert on a dropped pass to a wide open receiver in the endzone.

When GCC got the ball back after a Mesa punt, Glendale fumbled the ball again on the return, giving Mesa great field position to start their drive.

The Thunderbirds couldn't capitalize on GCC's turnovers. GCC had one last chance to win the game with just over a minute left it the game, but came up short, in a 14-12 loss.

This loss drops GCC to 4-4 on the year, and 2-3 in the WSFL.