Renewed Crosstown Rivalry Dominated by Riverside

A crosstown rivalry was renewed on Saturday night in a showdown between the Riverside City College football team and the San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines. The rivalry swung heavily in the Tiger's favor as they were all business by putting up 56 first-half points. They continued on to outscore the Wolverines by 14 points in the second half en route to a 77-35 victory.

It was an offensive melee throughout the entire game, but the Tigers 35 points in the first quarter set the pace. Special teams shined early as freshman kick returner Tyler Kennedy took the game's opening kickoff 94-yards to the house to give Riverside a six-point lead before even conducting an offensive drive.

Sophomore defensive back Eric Wilson was able to hand the Tigers great field position on their opening drive by recording an interception on the Wolverines' first drive. Sophomore Vic Viramontes was able to punch the pigskin into the end zone compliments of a three-yard rushing touchdown.

However, the Tigers surrendered their first score of the game on a 100-yard kickoff return to bring their advantage to just seven points. SBVC later rallied to tie the contest at 14-all under the  seven-minute mark in the first half.

Despite surrendering the early lead, a three-yard rushing touchdown from sophomore running back Quincy Wimbish put the Tigers back on top by a score. From there, the Tigers did not look back.

The Riverside defense continued to make plays in the secondary as freshman safety Christian Swint recorded the team's second interception and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore Stone Smartt got the aerial attack rolling to cap off the first quarter of action by linking up with Kennedy for a 61-yard touchdown pass.

Smartt remained poised in the aerial attack by tossing two more touchdown passes to freshman wide receiver Xavier Marshall and freshman wide receiver Jammal Houston, respectively. Wimbish added another rushing touchdown leading to a 56-28 advantage entering halftime.

Riverside added 21 more points to San Bernardino's seven in the second half. Smartt connected with freshman running back Dunmar Fisher for a three-yard passing touchdown for the lone score of the third quarter. Fisher planted himself in the end zone once again the fourth quarter compliments of a 12-yard scurry. Freshman tailback Joseph Griffin capped the contest with a 32-yard scamper to the end zone en route to a 77-35 win.

The contest was an offensive shootout for much of the first half, but Riverside topped San Bernardino in nearly all major offensive categories including total offense (554), plays (74) average gain per play (7.5), rushing yards (250), and third down efficiency (62%).

Smartt put together another strong game under center by going 15-for-17 with 290 yards and four touchdowns. His four touchdown passes found the hands of four different receivers. Houston was the biggest beneficiary by hauling in three catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Tyrone Marshall lead the receiving core with four grabs leading to 45 yards.

Wimbish led the ground game in his first game of the season by carting the rock 13 times for 62 yards and a pair of scores. Freshman running back Eric Buchannon carried the ball 14 times for 73 yards.

The defense was strong as they recorded four take always – three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Freshman linebacker Kobey Fitzgerald, Swint, and Wilson each had an interception while sophomore defensive lineman Quinten Asberry forced a fumble. Freshman linebacker Manu Ta'a recovered the fumble. Viramontes led the team in tackles with seven.

Riverside (2-1) will continue action on the road Saturday, September 22 as they face off against the Long Beach City College Vikings (2-1) at 6 p.m. in Veteran Memorial Stadium.