Riverside Snags Early Lead, Holds Off El Camino
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Riverside (6-2) | 17 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 34 |
|
El Camino (5-3) | 0 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
The Riverside City College football team entered into a high stakes battle on the road against the El Camino College Warriors in Southern California Football Association (SCFA) conference action. The Tigers came out of the gates swinging with a heavy dose of offense and never looked back.
The Tigers put together another strong offensive showing. They accumulated 426 yards of total offense featuring a 6.1 yards-per-play mark. They did most of their damage on the ground with 229 rushing yards, but stayed efficient in the passing game as seen in 197 yards through the air. Yards after the catch played a huge factor as the Tigers netted 8.2 yards-per-pass play.
Sophomore Lawrence Starks was the main wrecking ball in the backfield as he toted the ball 17 times for a career-high 158 yards. He crossed the goal line on a five-yard run in the second quarter and then capped his scoring in the fourth quarter on a 38-yard dash to the end zone.
In his third-career start, freshman quarterback Jordan Barton was methodical under center by going 15-for-24 with 197 yards and two touchdowns. Despite tossing a pair of interceptions, the Tiger defense had his back and forced the Warriors to punt on both possessions.
He completed a pass to seven different receivers and spread the love between the entire aerial brigade. No receiver had more than three catches. Sophomore wide receiver Marquis Ashley was the main beneficiary by hauling in three catches for 53 yards and 26-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.
Freshman Juwan Tucker had three grabs for 49 yards and the first touchdown of the game, while freshman Tye Moore hauled in a pair of catches for 53 yards.
Freshman Dean Connors and sophomore Thomas Kinslow complimented the offense in the backfield as they combined for 15 carries from 85 yards.
Sophomore Ricardo Chavez continued to be one of the most reliable legs in the two-year game by booting home two field goals – a 35 yarder in the first quarter and a 33 yarder in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, the Tigers did most of their damage in the in the first half as they limited El Camino to 10 points. The Warriors made it interesting by scoring 17 points in the second half, but Riverside halted El Camino to a turnover on downs and two punts in the final frame.
The Tigers recorded 10 tackles for a loss a total loss of 33 yards. Furthermore they had two forced fumbles resulting in turnovers.
Freshman Gage Summers had a monster day by recording a season-high 11 tackles including one of the Tigers two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. Sophomore Kylen Ross recorded the other forced fumble and finished with nine tackles and a pass breakup.
Sophomore Nathan Bolton did damage in the backfield with Riverside's lone sack leading to eight tackles, while freshman Noa Purcell notched six stops.
