November 20, 2021

SANTA MONICA, Calif.

Coming off a crushing loss at Santa Barbara last week, the Santa Monica College football team returned home for a make-up game from an October 2 with crosstown rival West Los Angeles College.  Saturday the Corsairs found themselves outmatched by the visiting Wildcats in a 42-19 loss to end the season.

Santa Monica was hammered early and often by the Wildcats, trailing 28-3 early into the second quarter, its lone score during that span being a 28-yard field goal by freshman kicker Tommy Meek. The Corsairs finally reached the end zone midway into the second quarter,  courtesy of their special teams as freshman wide receiver Jai Guess blocked a punt deep into Wildcat territory that resulted in a recovery by freshman wide receiver Kane French for a touchdown.

SMC entered the second half down 28-10, but the Corsair defense added points to the scoreboard, as a strip sack by freshman defensive end Tannen Vagle led to a West LA quarterback recovery in the endzone and a Corsair safety. However, the Santa Monica offense, without freshman quarterback Sam Vaulton, struggled to create big plays throughout the game, despite a 13-minute advantage in time of possession and going 4-of-7 on fourth down. The offense almost scored early into the second half, but a fumble by freshman Running back Josiah Neos at the goal line ended that opportunity. Santa Monica's only offensive score came with six minutes remaining in the game, as sophomore quarterback Matthias Neos connected with sophomore leading wideout Tariq Brown for a four-yard touchdown in both players' final game as Corsairs.

Matthias Neos finished 14-of-29 for 80 yards and the touchdown, along with an interception, while leading a ground attack with his brother Josiah Neos that totaled 145 yards. Matthias Neos scrambled 15 times for 54 yards, while Josiah Neos rumbled for 60 yards on 11 carries. Brown finished with four receptions for 29 yards and the score.

Santa Monica ended the 2021 season 3-6 overall, 1-3 in Pacific League play. Vaulton led the Corsairs with 2,234 pass yards, 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Josiah Neos was Santa Monica's leading rusher with 297 yards on 74 carries and eight touchdowns. Brown was arguably Southern California's most prolific receiver, finished the year with 56 receptions, 844 yards and six touchdowns. Freshman linebacker Noah Ghodooshim was the team's top tackler with 57, while Vagle led the edge rushers with 5.5 sacks on the season. Freshman line backer Raejion Baker notched a team-high two interceptions.