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Football Long Beach City College

Football: Peabody’s 50th Win Has LBCC One Away From Title

STORY BY MATT SIMON, PHOTO By JOHN FAJARDO / LBCC

After a thrilling come-from-behind win last week, the Long Beach City College football team bounced back in dominating fashion with a 58-35 win over Moorpark Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The victory was head coach Brett Peabody’s 50th with LBCC, midway through his seventh season. It also keeps the Vikings (6-2, 3-0) on top of the conference as one of two undefeated teams. LBCC can clinch at least a share of a conference title next week with a win at College of the Canyons.

Freshman quarterback Derrach West threw five touchdowns and ran for one as he led the Vikings offense throughout the night.

As he’s done during the season, West connected with Zion Bowens on touchdowns of 28 and 42 yard to give the Vikings a 14-0 lead with 2:41 left in the first quarter.

West wasn’t done there as he rushed for a 12-yard run to cap a 7-play drive to give LBCC a 21-0 lead 22 seconds later.

“Going into this week our coaches stressed getting off the ball fast right from the snap,” West said. “We just came out this week and executed it to the T.”

Along with Bowens, West threw two touchdowns to Julian Woodard and one to Zack Leets.

The Vikings were dominant on both sides of the ball and D’Anthony Jones was a wrecking ball for LBCC on his way to nine tackles, three sacks, five tackles for losses and one forced fumble that was recovered for a touchdown.

“I eat because of my guys,” Jones said. “Our secondary helps us get sacks and we help them get picks. Everyone does their job and everybody eats.”

Along with Jones, Dallas Branch had two interceptions, one forced fumble and recovered Jones’ forced fumble for a touchdown.

With the win, the Vikings now head into a big matchup against College of the Canyons next week. If LBCC wins they can win a share of the conference title.

VIDEO: LBCC vs. Moorpark Football

Mike Guardabascio
An LBC native, Mike Guardabascio has been covering Long Beach sports professionally for 13 years, with his work published in dozens of Southern California magazines and newspapers. He's won numerous awards for his writing as well as the CIF Southern Section’s Champion For Character Award, and is the author of three books about Long Beach history.
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