Examples of a turning point include a critical interception that is run back for a touchdown; a miraculous reception or run; a team which methodically executes both offensive and defensive plays with single-minded purpose – to win. The turning point in a game can be subtle and hard to pin-point. Other times it clearly hinges on a single event in the game. In the Antelope Valley College Marauder - v - Santa Monica College Corsair game – the turning point came early. It came on the Marauder’s first possession.

Marauder Benjamin Royce pounds a 64 yard kick-off as the game opens. The kick goes out of bounds so the Corsairs’ opening drive begins at the 40 yard line. Breonat Shelton is stopped two yards short of the line of scrimmage on his first run. Then Fletcher Chase’s six yard run is thwarted by Chris Whitney when he forces a fumble and runs it back 11 yards. Two plays later Whitney receives a 15 yard pass from Marauder QB Josh Firm. The Corsairs limit Devon Mattox to a one yard gain on the next play, but Mattox would not be denied a touchdown. On the next play, Firm connects with Mattox for 13 yards and six points. The point after was good.

This Marauder drive began with 14:22 on the clock in the first period. It set the tone of the whole game.

Royce again nails a fabulous punt – 65 yards on the kick-off following the scoring drive. Chase redeems himself with a 31 yard return. Shelton completed a 13 yard pass to Michael Capo to give SMC a rare first down. Travis Rawls followed with an eight yard rush but the Corsairs simply could move the ball no further and had to punt.

Antelope Valley was not satisfied with a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. On a fair catch call, Antelope Valley started the drive on their own 49 yard line. Firm’s fist completion was to Brandon Mims for six yards. Brandon Teasley follows with a seven yard run to the SMC 38. Firm then completed two passes to Taveon Burke; one for 12 yards and one for 14 yards. The drive is capped off with a 12 yard Firm – Mattox connection for six points. The point after is good and the first quarter ends 14-0.

Antelope Valley’s next scoring drive came as a result of a Firm pass to Xavier Bradford for 14 yards; an Xavier Blake run for 13 yards; a 16 yard Firm rush; and a 20 yard pass for the touchdown from Firm to Ronald Pigee. With just under 7 ½ minutes left in the half, the score is 21-0.

There were outstanding individual efforts on both teams although. Offensively for SMC, Shelton completed a 17 yard pass to Rawls. Defensively, Barring Parsley single-handedly prevented another Antelope Valley touchdown by intercepting a Firm pass in the end zone. But games are not won without a cohesive team effort. Antelope Valley scored another touchdown before the half ends and the teams go into the locker rooms with a 28-0 Antelope Valley lead.

The Marauders wasted no time scoring in the third quarter. SMC’s Rony Estrada kicks a beautiful 72 yard kick off but a missed tackle results in 20 yard return by Taveon Burke of Antelope Valley. Firm rushes for no gain then completes a seven yard pass to Mattox. Then comes the first of two big plays in the game – Firm connects with Burke for a 62 yard touchdown. One minute and twenty-five seconds were taken off the clock. The score is now 35-0.

SMC does nothing on their next possession and Antelope Valley scores again on theirs. The score climbs to 41-0 because the point after is missed by a foot.

Antelope Valley would score another touch down, the second big play of the game, on a Shelton interception by David Green who ran it back 55 yards for six points. The third quarter ended with a score of 48-0.

Whether the Corsairs held the Marauders to only one touchdown in the fourth quarter or Antelope Valley simply got tired of scoring is hard to tell. Few of their starters continued playing in the fourth quarter. The final score, nevertheless, was 55-0.

It’s difficult not to comment on a 55-0 loss at home. And there is no easier job in the world than that of a critic – a Monday morning quarterback. Regardless, if there was ever a need for a turning point for a football program – it is now. Whatever the coaches and players are doing – it is not working. The Corsairs remind me of the metaphor of the fly who repeatedly bangs into a window trying to escape the room thinking that a different result will be achieved by repeating actions which have conclusively been demonstrated not to work. We need to do something different. Anything different.

We need a turning point. Let it be this game.