The University City (UC) Centurions football team defeated the Crawford Colts, 34-31, in UC’s homecoming game last Friday, Oct. 20.
With temporary lights installed for the big event, wide receiver Kevin Santos snagged a 61-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brooks Dougherty to give the Centurions an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
The lights were not that effective, according to UC coach Patrick Coleman, who told the San Diego Union-Tribune it was “physiologically hard to see the ball” on the field.
One Centurion who saw the ball well was wide receiver Royce Pollard, who made an athletic 21-yard leap and grab in the deep corner of the end zone.
Junior kicker Kyle Berner also helped turn the tide for the Centurions.
After three Crawford rushing touchdowns got the Colts back into the contest, Berner booted two field goals to put UC back out in front, 20-19, as the teams headed to the locker room at halftime.
After the intermission, Pollard was at it again. The senior promptly caught another touchdown pass from Dougherty to pad the Centurion cushion to 27-19 in the third quarter.
Dougherty also did some running. In the fourth quarter, the UC senior added a rushing touchdown to go with his three passing touchdowns to extend the Centurion advantage to 34-19 and pretty much seal the victory.
Dougherty completed 14-of-20 passes for 302 yards for UC.
Meanwhile, Crawford’s Jarrod Stutts had a big game for the Colts, including a 51-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
With the win, the Centurions improve their record to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the Central League. With the loss, Crawford falls to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in Central League play.