Viramontes Tabbed Offensive Player of the Year, Craft Named Coach of the Year
The Riverside City College football team recently completed its 2017 campaign after earning a 10-2 record that included a Southern California Football Association (SCFA) Central Division Championship along with an SCFA Southern California first-round playoff victory. At season's end, 10 Tigers received SCFA Central All-Conference recognition highlighted by sophomore quarterback Vic Viramontes (Norco, CA) being named the SCFA Central Offensive Player of the Year and Head Coach Tom Craft being named the SCFA Central Coach of the Year.
Craft hauls in his second-straight Coach of the Year award marking his fourth time being recognized in the past five seasons. Craft led his team to as high as second-overall in the state rankings while pushing his overall coaching record to 78-14 (.848) in his eight years at the helm. His 10-2 record this season included six victories against top-20 teams in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) underlined by a pair of victories against Ventura. Riverside ranked fourth in red zone efficiency (88%), fifth in touchdowns (63), tied for fifth in sacks (36), sixth in total points (456), and sixth in points-per-game (38).
Viramontes was named the Offensive Player of the Year after arguably being considered the most dangerous offensive threat in the state. He ranked tops in the state in rushing touchdowns (21) and total rushing yards from scrimmage (1,346). Furthermore, he ranked second in average yards-per-carry (7.4) and third in rushing yards-per-game (112.2). The local talent led the Tiger offense the entire season as he passed for 100+ yards and rushed for 100+ yards in seven games. In four games, Viramontes surpassed the century mark in both rushing and passing. He recorded a season-high 224 yards rushing and five rushing touchdowns in a victory over Ventura in late September and followed with a season-high passing mark of 332 yards and five passing touchdowns in a SCFA Southern California first-round playoff victory against Ventura in mid-November. Additionally, he found the end zone on the ground in all but two games and threw a touchdown pass in all but two games. Furthermore, he was named the SCFA Central Division Offensive Player of the Week twice on the season.
Sophomore captain and offensive lineman Tre Bland (Ontario, CA) was named to the First-Team All-Conference list after helping the Tigers reach extraordinary heights on offense. He helmed an offensive line that assisted the Riverside offense that ranked first in the Central Division in total offense (5,577), rushing yards (3,263), rushing yards-per-game (271.9), average yards-per-carry (6.3), and rushing touchdowns (32).
Sophomore wide receiver Malik Holcomb (Chicago, IL) was the lone unanimous selection for the Tigers as her earned First-Team All-Conference recognition in a breakout season. Holcomb was the top threat in the air by pacing his squad in receptions (45), yards (671), and receiving yards-per-game (61). He ranks tied for second in receiving touchdowns (6) on the team while averaging 14.9 yards-per-snag. The sophomore played in all but one contest on the season and surpassed a bill receiving in two games highlighted by a seven catch, 130 yards receiving game that led to a pair of touchdowns in a victory over Cerritos. Additionally, he caught at least one pass in every game he played.
Sophomore safety Devanere Crenshaw (Riverside, CA) highlights the defensive unit with a First-Team All-Conference recognition after leading a strong secondary for the Tigers. Crenshaw paced Riverside in total tackles with 56 that included an average of 5.1 tackles-per-game ranking him 13th in the Central Division. He recorded a pair of interceptions and returned one to the house in a victory over Cerritos. Additionally, he recorded at least one tackle in every game and notched a season-high eight tackles in a victory over Long Beach.
Sophomore linebacker Hunter Hoohuli (Honolulu, HI) joins Crenshaw on the First-Team All-Conference list after recording 46 total tackles and averaging 4.2 stops-per-contest. Hoohuli recorded a season-high seven tackles in a victory over El Camino which included one tackle for a loss. He recorded two or more tackles in seven games and earned 6.5 tackles for a loss on the season.
Freshman kicker John Garibay (Rubidoux, CA) earned First-Team All-Conference honors after experiencing a fantastic season. Garibay was the most efficient kicker in the central division by booting home 60 extra points to earn a 97% conversion rate. He also drilled 6-out-of-8 field goals with a season long going for 46 yards in a victory over Long Beach. He was even more impressive in the punting game by rearing back for 48 punts totaling 1,885 yards. He pinned teams inside the 20-yard line 11 times with five punts landing inside the 20 against Fullerton. He recorded a season-long 64-yard boot in the same game.
Sophomore defensive lineman Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei (Gold Coast, Australia) was named to the Second-Team All-Conference list after recording 40 tackles on the season and earning an impressive 5.5 sacks, ranking tied for fifth in the central division. A true leader on and off the field, Aiolupotea-Pei recorded at least one tackle in 10 games that included a set of five-tackle games. He earned two sacks in a commanding victory over L.A. Harbor as well.
Freshman safety Eric Wilson (Oceanside, CA) earned a Second-Team All-Conference nod after being second on his team in total tackles with 47 while averaging 3.7 tackles-per-game. He was second on the team in interceptions with two and recovered one fumble. He earned a stop in every game he played highlighted by a nine-tackle outburst against Ventura. He recorded two breakups in that contest as well.
Freshman kicker returner Tyrone Marshall (Los Angeles, CA) earned Second-Team All-Conference honors after a dynamic year on the special team's side of the game. He returned 24 kicks for a total of 614 yards. His efforts were highlighted by a 98-yard kick return to the house in a victory over El Camino. He returned five kicks for 184 yards in that contest.
Freshman punt returner Tanarious Achan (Lafayette, LA) earned Second-Team All-Conference laurels after acting as a slippery return man. He fielded 17 punts for 201 yards leading to a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown against Long Beach. He averaged 11.8 yards-per-return.