VALLEY OF THE SUN BOWL
Saturday -- December 6, 2003 -- 2:00 p.m.
Hanhila Stadium at Glendale Community College

Glendale C.C. (AZ) def. Hutchinson C.C. (KS) - 41-17

Following is a story on the game by Mr. Jose E. Garcia of The Arizona Republic. Please visit the site of the Republic for continuous coverage of the Phoenix area.

Glendale Captures Valley of the Sun Bowl
by Jose E. Garcia - The Arizona Republic - Dec. 7, 2003

Going into its last game of the year, Glendale Community College's football program felt a bit unappreciated.

While some of the Valley's high-profile football teams continue to struggle, Glendale College keeps winning in obscurity. But on Saturday, plenty of fans and several high school recruits were on hand to witness one of the Valley's hidden football assets end yet another successful season at home in the 23rd installment of the Valley of the Sun Bowl.

Glendale College whipped Hutchinson (Kan.) 41-17 to win the program's eighth Valley of the Sun Bowl, the most by any junior college team in Maricopa County.

"This is a pretty darn good football team, one of the better ones we've had," said Glendale College coach Joe Kersting, whose team finished with a 9-2 record.

Coming off a three-week break, it took a while for the Western States Football League's top-ranked offense to break away from a freshmen-dominated Hutchinson team, No. 13 in the nation.

Wide receiver Gary Snyder provided a lift when he reached out between two defenders to haul in a 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass with no time remaining in the second quarter, stretching Glendale's lead to 24-10.

But Glendale failed to cash in on the momentum, turning the ball over on its first two drives of the second half.

The game's Most Valuable Player, Glendale running back Ramel McIntosh, capped a 10-play drive in the third quarter with a 1-yard run to give the Gauchos a 31-10 lead.

Joe Tantarelli kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 34-10, and defensive lineman Levi Brooks returned a 56-yard interception for a touchdown to complete the scoring.

Glendale's defense forced five turnovers, turning three of them into touchdowns.

"Not to take anything away from (Glendale), but that was as poorly as we've played all year," said first-year Hutchinson coach Craig Jersild, whose team finished 7-4.