GROSSMONT COLLEGE–The Grossmont Griffins have one more chance to conclude the 2010 football season with a win.

 Their last regular-season game was a hard-fought loss to the Palomar College Comets last Saturday at Escondido High School. Grossmont clawed back from a 27-14 deficit to take the lead 28-27 in the third quarter, only to fall behind again. A second comeback fell short, leaving the final score 35-43.

But Grossmont had the last laugh becaused they finished with a 6-4 record — enough to be bowl-eligible, while Palomar finished 5-5. And on Monday it was announced that Grossmont is going to the Beach Bowl. They will play Santa Ana College (8-2) at Santa Ana Stadium on November 20 at 6 p.m.

Athletic director Jim Spillers, noting that Grossmont beat El Camino 27-22 in the 2009 Beach Bowl, said the team was “looking forward to another trip” this time. In addition to one more chance to end the season on a positive note, he said the game will provide second-year players an excellent opportunity to showcase their talents to observers from four-year colleges.

The Beach Bowl will give Grossmont — and especially the defense — a chance to rebound from the Palomar game. The defense enabled Palomar quarterback Nate Ong to have his best game with 314 yards passing and five touchdowns.

There were some individual standouts in the defense. Linebacker Pat Kelly led all players with 14 tackles. Defensive back Ivan May kept the score close in the second half by breaking up at least three would-be touchdown passes.

Grossmont’s offense ran hot and cold. Running back Darrin Alex ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Woods completed 23 of 37 passes for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns and one interception (a Hail Mary throw on the game’s last play). Wide receiver Roland Brooks had two touchdown receptions — including the one that gave Grossmont its only lead midway through the third quarter.

Fans interested in traveling to Orange County to support the Griffins in the 2010 Beach Bowl can find information here. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students.

News and notes

• The game was stopped several times because of downed or injured players. One casualty for Grossmont was running back Patrick Arize (48). Arize had two big plays on special teams: a kickoff return, and a booming hit on Palomar’s kickoff return man. However, the second play knocked Arize out for the rest of the game.
• The game was attended by 1175 people, roughly three-quarters of whom were Palomar fans.
• The Grossmont Foundation will hold its annual “Grossmont College Football Awards Banquet” this Thursday November 18, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will be at the Marina Village Conference Center at 1936 Quivera Way at Mission Bay. The cost is $15 per person or $100 for a table (no charge for football players).

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  Dudley is a student in Media Comm 132