Glendale Community College Wins Valley of the Sun Bowl

Jim McCurdy
Special for The Republic

They were chasing coach Joe Kersting down the sideline with the Gatorade bucket ready to be spilled. Yet Kersting was more elusive than one of his speedy playmakers.

Finally, Glendale Community College's football team grabbed its coach and gave him the traditional water bucket bath.

Deservedly so. GCC had just won a national championship.

No. 1 Glendale held on to beat No. 2 Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College 50-48 on Saturday in the Valley of the Sun Bowl to decide the National Junior College Athletic Association title at GCC. It is the Gauchos' third national title.

"Diamonds in our ring," Glendale linebacker Torrey Huckaby said. "It was just hard work and dedication every day. We came to do our work."

Trailing by 22 entering the last quarter, Grand Rapids made a furious comeback. With 1:01 left, Raiders quarterback Billy Firn hit Kyle Curtis on a 5-yard rollout to draw the Raiders (9-2) within two. But the two-point conversion pass failed, and Glendale (11-0) recovered the onside kick to secure the title.

"It took a lot of heart, it took good coaches and good players to come back," said Grand Rapids running back Leonard Curry, who ran for 100 yards on 19 carries. "We didn't give up. We came back."

Grand Rapids defensive back Karl Wimberly returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown 2:03 into the fourth quarter to trim the gap to 50-35. The Raiders stopped GCC on its next two possessions, setting up Firn's 40-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Smith with 7:40 to go to cut it to 50-42.

A minute later, Wimberly intercepted Gauchos quarterback Tim Brockwell again, and on third and 23, Firn hit Smith on a 26-yard pass to keep the drive going.

"We played a heck of a game, but we came up two points short," Wimberly said. "It's sad because we lost, but we made a good effort. All season we've been working hard for it, to play for the national championship."

With 10:47 left in the first half, Huckaby intercepted a tipped pass that set up Brockwell's 2-yard touchdown pass to Eric Tonkin to put Glendale ahead for good at 23-21. Johnny Sanchez scored on a 7-yard run, hurdling a defender at the goal line to push GCC's lead to nine before halftime.

Glendale padded its lead in the second half on a 2-yard run by Taryll Galloway and a 25-yard touchdown pass from Brockwell to Eric McCain to put GCC up 42-21.

"We just came out and made plays," said McCain, who had six catches for 177 yards. "I think we really just wanted it more."

McCain, a 6-foot-4 receiver who has not signed with a four-year school, was named the game's Most Valuable Player on offense. Kersting called him the best receiver GCC has had.

Grand Rapids led 21-10 after Raiders defensive end Brandon Westbrook returned a fumble 38 yards for a score with 1:30 left in the first quarter. But Sanchez, who rushed for 85 yards and three touchdowns, scored on a 24-yard run 15 seconds into the second quarter, and Huckaby's interception led to the go-ahead touchdown 3:58 later.

"I can't explain it," McCain said. "Coach K (Kersting) told us in the spring we had the talent and the coaching staff to win a national championship."

After the Gauchos appeared to have it sewn up, Grand Rapids' defense came alive, turning a 50-28 GCC lead into a wild finish.

"They started blitzing. They were just coming with it," McCain said. "They just had a stingy defense toward the third and fourth quarter, and we couldn't do anything with it. But our coach just told us to keep our heads level and we would win it."

Glendale held Grand Rapids to two first downs and 88 yards in the first half. Glendale had 490 total yards. Brockwell completed 17 of 30 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions.

"It feels great," Huckaby said. "Everything we worked for. Words can't explain this feeling."