Ames, Jaguars strike from every direction

2026 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NO. 18 SOUTHWESTERN 34, LONG BEACH CITY 14

Former Vaquero Marlon Ames gets two sacks and a pick-6 as No. 18 Southwestern improves to 3-0

By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com

CHULA VISTA — Southwestern discovered something potentially more meaningful than another enormous passing performance from Dominic Duran.

The Jaguars can dominate without one.

Haneef Bilal scored on a blocked punt, Kiram Dallas returned the second-half kickoff 93 yards and former El Capitan standout Marlon Ames recorded two sacks before returning an interception for a touchdown as No. 18 Southwestern defeated Long Beach City, 34-14, Saturday afternoon at DeVore Stadium.

Duran followed his five-touchdown performance against Grossmont by completing a comparatively modest 11 of 15 passes for 112 yards.

Southwestern’s offense produced only 264 yards and possessed the ball for 22:55. The Jaguars did not complete a touchdown pass and did not score during the fourth quarter.

None of it placed the outcome in serious danger.

Southwestern scored on offense, defense and special teams, rushed for 152 yards and carried a 34-6 advantage deep into the final period while improving to 3-0.

The Jaguars have won their first three games by a combined score of 113-24.

Long Beach fell to 0-3.

“Every game is not going to be a Player-of-the-Week game,” Cali Photo Sports Network analyst Marshall Thomas said during the broadcast. “To know the quarterback has his defense and special teams stepping up for him—that’s collective football.”

It was not Southwestern’s cleanest or most statistically overwhelming victory.

It may have been its most complete demonstration of how many different ways the Jaguars can beat an opponent.

BILAL BREAKS THROUGH

Southwestern’s offense opened slowly after producing 603 yards in its 52-10 victory over Grossmont.

Duran missed a couple of early downfield opportunities, encountered pressure and completed only five passes during the first half. Several catchable throws also went unfinished.

The Jaguars did not require their offense to produce the opening touchdown.

Long Beach’s first three possessions ended with punts, and its third attempt became a Southwestern score.

Bilal broke through the protection and blocked Byran Fuentes’ punt near the Long Beach goal line. He followed the ball into the end zone and completed the special-teams touchdown, giving Southwestern a 7-0 lead with 3:20 remaining in the opening quarter.

The play continued the Jaguars’ remarkable early-season ability to create points without their offense.

Southwestern entered the game with two defensive touchdowns through its first two weeks. Bilal’s score added another touchdown produced by a unit other than the offense.

It also reinforced an observation made by the broadcast team before the play.

Southwestern possesses perhaps its greatest overall depth in several years. The Jaguars rotate extensively on defense and special teams without suffering an obvious decline.

That depth helped them survive an afternoon when the offense required time to establish itself.

FAKE PUNT IGNITES OFFENSE

Southwestern’s first offensive touchdown began with another special-teams contribution.

Facing fourth down near the end of the opening quarter, head coach Oscar Rodriguez left his punt unit on the field.

Long Beach prepared for the kick.

Aaron Lee took the snap and ran 14 yards for the first down.

The former Point Loma standout’s conversion extended the possession and allowed the Jaguars to begin imposing themselves on the ground.

Southwestern unveiled a heavy backfield that included Caleb Blocker, Elias Johnson and Jamar Johnson, at times placing all three on the field together.

The alignment provided little mystery about the Jaguars’ intention.

Long Beach still could not stop it.

Blocker carried repeatedly near the goal line, maintaining his balance through contact and turning a special-teams gamble into a scoring opportunity.

Blocker finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, extending Southwestern’s lead to 14-0 with 11:06 remaining in the second quarter.

The touchdown was Blocker’s first of the season after he scored nine times and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards last year.

The drive also represented the kind of physical statement Rodriguez wanted after Southwestern committed 18 penalties for 194 yards against Grossmont.

The Jaguars were not attempting to outrun Long Beach.

They lined up, announced their intention and moved the Vikings anyway.

LONG BEACH FINDS ONE OPENING

Long Beach produced its best offensive sequence late in the first half.

Quarterback Logan Ebnet connected with Hezeikiah Robinson for a 48-yard completion, placing the Vikings near the Southwestern goal line.

The Jaguars nearly recovered from the coverage breakdown.

Kylan Studebaker, beaten on the initial reception, chased Robinson from behind and prevented the touchdown. Long Beach then committed consecutive delay-of-game penalties, moving away from the goal line.

Southwestern defensive lineman Dax Monestime followed by splitting a double team and sacking Ebnet.

The Jaguars appeared close to erasing the entire opportunity.

Ebnet escaped pressure on the next play, extended the action and found Robinson for a 13-yard touchdown with 5:02 remaining before halftime.

Southwestern immediately prevented another point when its special-teams unit blocked the extra-point attempt.

The Jaguars entered halftime leading 14-6.

Long Beach had outgained Southwestern during the half, and Duran had completed only 5 of 9 passes for 34 yards.

The Vikings had temporarily reduced the game to one possession.

Dallas needed only one touch to restore the separation.

DALLAS OPENS THE SECOND HALF WITH A DETONATION

Long Beach entered the second half with visible energy following its late touchdown.

The enthusiasm lasted for one kickoff.

Dallas fielded the ball at the Southwestern 7, found a seam and accelerated down the sideline for a 93-yard touchdown return.

The official statistics credited Dallas with the longest play of the game and his first kickoff-return touchdown of the season.

One week earlier, Dallas appeared to answer Grossmont’s 90-yard kickoff return with a long return of his own, only to have the play erased by a penalty.

No flag removed this one.

Southwestern’s lead became 21-6 before either offense ran a second-half play.

“The Jaguars kick the door wide open to start the second half,” play-by-play announcer Bo Ferdig said on the broadcast.

The return was Southwestern’s second special-teams touchdown of the afternoon. Lee’s fake punt had also created another scoring possession.

The Jaguars’ special teams either scored or supplied the pivotal play behind three touchdowns.

OHNSONS CONTROL THE GROUND

Southwestern’s defense forced a turnover on downs during Long Beach’s first possession of the second half.

The offense then produced its best drive.

Duran rebuilt his rhythm with short, high-percentage throws, including a 23-yard swing pass to Jamar Johnson. Jaime Gray made a physical reception and absorbed a substantial hit before immediately returning to the formation.

Duran also found tight end Landon Pol after a play fake as Long Beach began committing more defenders to the running game.

Once the Jaguars reached scoring territory, they returned to their backs.

Jamar Johnson scored on a 2-yard run, completing a balanced possession and extending Southwestern’s lead to 28-6 with 8:51 remaining in the third quarter.

Jamar Johnson and Elias Johnson produced identical rushing lines: nine carries for 52 yards, with each averaging 5.8 yards per attempt.

Kavien Ford added 25 yards on five carries, including an athletic fourth-quarter run during which he eluded or ran through several defenders.

Blocker was limited to eight yards on six carries, but his 1-yard touchdown finished the first-half statement drive.

Southwestern averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and finished with 10 rushing first downs.

The Jaguars’ backfield again demonstrated that Rodriguez can rotate runners without abandoning his physical offensive identity.

AMES TAKES OVER

The most disruptive individual stretch belonged to Ames.

The former El Capitan defender was used more extensively during the second half and transformed one Long Beach possession almost by himself.

First, Ames recorded a coverage sack when Ebnet could not locate a receiver.

After Long Beach changed quarterbacks, a poor snap sent Kayde Bodine retreating. Ames chased down the play and recorded another sack, this one producing a substantial loss.

The Vikings faced third-and-long.

Ames initially appeared prepared to rush again but recognized the developing throw, dropped into coverage and intercepted the pass near the Long Beach goal line.

He returned it 11 yards for a touchdown.

Two sacks.

One interception.

One defensive touchdown.

All on the same possession.

Ames officially finished with two sacks for 19 yards, two tackles for loss and the pick-six that extended Southwestern’s lead to 34-6.

“What a read,” Thomas said. “He wanted to rush, saw somebody coming out and looked like a defensive back.”

Ames’ sequence provided another example of Southwestern’s depth creating production.

He did not begin the afternoon among the defense’s most frequently mentioned players. By the end of the third quarter, he had delivered the game’s defining individual performance.

DEFENSE REMAINS DIFFICULT TO RUN AGAINST

Long Beach possessed the ball for 41:38 and finished with 283 yards, exceeding Southwestern’s total by 19.

Most of that production came through the air while the Vikings chased the game.

Southwestern limited Long Beach to 70 rushing yards on 30 attempts, an average of 2.3 yards per carry. The Vikings’ primary backs, Khalil Warren and Lynnden Hodge, combined for only 29 yards on 17 attempts.

The Jaguars recorded three sacks, nine tackles for loss, three pass breakups, an interception and two blocked kicks.

RJ Perryman led Southwestern with five tackles, while Joseph Stephens and Rasaan Thomas made four apiece.

Niko Ta’a recorded two tackles for loss, consistently attacking gaps from his linebacker position. Former Christian High standout Brady Eads added three solo tackles and another stop behind the line.

Studebaker contributed three tackles and a tackle for loss in addition to his touchdown-saving pursuit during Long Beach’s only first-half scoring drive.

Southwestern’s first-team defense allowed one touchdown for the second consecutive week. Long Beach added its final score on an 80-yard possession with 3:40 remaining in the game, well after the Jaguars had established a 28-point lead and rotated personnel.

Through three games, Southwestern has allowed only 24 total points.

Grossmont’s touchdown came on special teams. The Jaguars shut out College of the Canyons and have surrendered only two offensive touchdowns all season.

DURAN WINS WITHOUT FIREWORKS

Duran entered the afternoon after earning SCFA Offensive Player of the Week honors for his 434-yard, five-touchdown performance against Grossmont.

Long Beach prevented another downfield exhibition.

The Vikings pressured Duran, varied their coverage and kept Southwestern’s receiving corps from consistently separating deep. The Jaguars also missed potential completions that were available.

Duran nevertheless completed 73.3 percent of his passes, did not throw an interception and improved as the game progressed.

He finished 11 of 15 for 112 yards, giving him season totals of 46 completions in 61 attempts for 754 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

His completion percentage stands at 75.4 percent.

Duran has now directed Southwestern to three consecutive victories without committing a turnover through the air.

Gray led the Jaguars with four receptions for 53 yards, while Jamar Johnson added his 23-yard gain. Dallas caught two passes for nine yards before delivering his largest contribution on special teams.

Duran did not repeat the statistical explosion that brought him statewide recognition.

He did not need to.

That may be the most encouraging development for Southwestern.

LEE CONTROLS FIELD POSITION

Lee affected the game with more than his fake punt.

The sophomore averaged 46.3 yards on four punts, producing a long of 54 yards and repeatedly forcing Long Beach to operate deep in its own territory.

His ability to create field position complemented a defense that rarely allowed the Vikings to run effectively.

Long Beach used two punters and averaged only 22.8 yards per attempt. Bilal blocked one punt for a touchdown, and another produced almost no change in field position.

Jamil Kassab, the former Ramona High standout, returned two punts for 33 yards, giving Southwestern another advantage in hidden yardage.

The Jaguars finished with 157 return yards, including Dallas’ 93-yard touchdown.

Long Beach finished with 75.

That 82-yard difference illustrates why the Vikings could lead total offense and possess the ball for nearly twice as long without seriously threatening the final result.

Southwestern controlled the parts of the field that do not appear in the offensive yardage column.

PENALTIES IMPROVE, BUT REMAIN AN ISSUE

Southwestern made progress following its 18-penalty afternoon against Grossmont.

The Jaguars were flagged eight times for 69 yards, reducing their penalty yardage by 125.

That represented a considerable improvement, but several infractions still disrupted possessions. Southwestern committed four first-half penalties, including costly pre-snap mistakes and a holding call that helped end a potential scoring opportunity.

Long Beach committed 10 penalties for 45 yards.

The Vikings’ consecutive delay-of-game infractions nearly destroyed their first touchdown drive, while a late offside penalty following Ames’ interception return prompted Southwestern to attempt a two-point conversion.

Blocker was stopped short.

Rodriguez will continue to find correction points in a performance that contained occasional offensive stagnation, a lost fumble and another collection of avoidable penalties.

The Jaguars have shown they can overcome those errors against three consecutive opponents.

The schedule will soon become less forgiving.

THE STANDARD KEEPS RISING

Southwestern opened with a 27-0 road victory over Canyons, overwhelmed Grossmont by 42 points and defeated Long Beach by 20 despite receiving an ordinary offensive performance.

The progression under Rodriguez has become increasingly difficult to dismiss.

He inherited a program coming off a one-win season. Southwestern won two games during his first year, captured a bowl victory during his second and has now begun this season with three decisive wins.

Rodriguez and his staff have combined local players such as Ames, Eads, Kassab, Stephens and Chris Snyder with recruits from Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California and other regions.

The result is a roster capable of winning through several distinct combinations.

Against Canyons, Southwestern controlled the ball for more than 44 minutes and overwhelmed the Cougars with defense and rushing depth.

Against Grossmont, Duran attacked downfield for 434 yards and five touchdowns.

Against Long Beach, the Jaguars scored twice on special teams, once on defense and twice on the ground.

Three games.

Three different formulas.

Three convincing victories.

Southwestern now enters its bye week before hosting unbeaten San Diego Mesa in one of the most anticipated local community college games in years.

The Jaguars will have two weeks to correct the details.

Their opponents have a more difficult assignment.

They must determine which portion of Southwestern’s roster to stop first.

THREE-PHASE SCORING

Unit	Southwestern touchdowns
Offense	2
Defense	1
Special teams	2

Special teams: Haneef Bilal blocked a punt and completed the touchdown; Kiram Dallas returned a kickoff 93 yards.

Offense: Caleb Blocker and Jamar Johnson scored on short rushing attempts.

Defense: Marlon Ames returned an interception 11 yards for a touchdown.

AMES’ TAKEOVER

Marlon Ames, Southwestern (El Capitan)

• Two sacks for 19 yards
• Two tackles for loss
• One interception
• 11-yard interception return for a touchdown

Ames recorded both sacks and the pick-six during one third-quarter Long Beach possession.

BY THE NUMBERS

Category	Long Beach	Southwestern
First downs	14	17
Total offense	283	264
Passing yards	213	112
Rushing yards	70	152
Yards per rush	2.3	4.6
Third downs	5 of 16	3 of 9
Fourth downs	1 of 2	1 of 1
Sacks	2	3
Tackles for loss	4	9
Return yards	75	157
Penalties	10-45	8-69
Possession	41:38	22:55

SOUTHWESTERN LEADERS

Passing: Dominic Duran 11-of-15, 112 yards, no interceptions.

Rushing: Elias Johnson 9-52; Jamar Johnson 9-52, touchdown; Kavien Ford 5-25; Aaron Lee 1-14; Caleb Blocker 6-8, touchdown.

Receiving: Jaime Gray 4-53; Jamar Johnson 1-23; Kiram Dallas 2-9; Malachi Bean-Seay 1-9.

Defense: RJ Perryman five tackles; Joseph Stephens four tackles; Rasaan Thomas four tackles; Marlon Ames two sacks and interception-return touchdown; Niko Ta’a two tackles for loss.

Special teams: Kiram Dallas 93-yard kickoff-return touchdown; Haneef Bilal blocked-punt touchdown; Aaron Lee four punts for a 46.3-yard average and 14-yard fake-punt conversion.

EAST COUNTY IMPACT

Marlon Ames, Southwestern (El Capitan)
Two sacks, two tackles for loss and an 11-yard interception-return touchdown.

Brady Eads, Southwestern (Christian)
Three solo tackles and one tackle for loss.

Jamil Kassab, Southwestern (Ramona)
Two punt returns for 33 yards, including a long of 21.

SCORING

First quarter

• SWC — Haneef Bilal blocked-punt touchdown (Daniel Meadows kick), 3:20.

Second quarter

• SWC — Caleb Blocker 1-yard run (Meadows kick), 11:06.
• LBCC — Logan Ebnet 13-yard pass to Hezeikiah Robinson (kick blocked), 5:02.

Third quarter

• SWC — Kiram Dallas 93-yard kickoff return (Meadows kick).
• SWC — Jamar Johnson 2-yard run (Meadows kick), 8:51.
• SWC — Marlon Ames 11-yard interception return (conversion failed), 5:27.

Fourth quarter

• LBCC — Kayde Bodine 14-yard pass to Kevin Jennett (Jennett conversion reception), 3:40.

Long Beach    — 0  6  0  8 — 14
Southwestern  — 7  7 20  0 — 34

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