Big Takeaway Positions Football to Win on Final Drive against Cerritos, Remains Lone Unbeaten

The unbeaten Tigers had their backs against the wall after trailing as much as 21 points to the Cerritos College Falcons on Saturday night on the road. Riverside had not faced a deficit this large all season until tonight, but a gritty performance in the second half limited Cerritos to just 14 second-half points and 42 points from the Tigers in a thrilling, come-from-behind victory.

This game was scripted as a revenge game for Cerritos after Riverside defeated them at home last year on a Jacob Marroquin field goal as time expired. This year, the outcome was the same, but the unraveling of the result was slightly different.

Riverside entered into the third quarter with a lot of ground to pick up and began by completing a six play, 77-yard drive capped by a two-yard rushing touchdown from freshman running back Elijah Ugorji. They followed by forcing a quick three and out on defense highlighted by three consecutive stops from sophomore Sivea Logoleo.

It took just four plays for the Tigers to score again as sophomore quarterback Jake Retzlaff linked with sophomore wide receiver Reggie Retzlaff for a 21-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 31-24 in Cerritos' favor.

On Cerritos ensuing possession, they looked to power past the Tigers with just under six minutes remaining in the quarter by going for it on a fourth and seven. However, the Cerritos' running back was quickly met in the backfield by sophomore Quinn Sullivan and freshman Adrian Williams for a loss of four yards.  

Without fail, J. Retzlaff strapped on his hard hat and went to work after his defense got him the ball back.

He completed an efficient six play, 40-yard drive by connecting on three passes, mixed in with a six yard rushing play, leading to a 13-yard touchdown pass that found Ugorji in the end zone for the second time. This touchdown brought the score to 31-all at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was just as electrifying as the previous frame with both teams swapping blows, waiting for the other one to break. Riverside bent, but they did not break.

Cerritos struck first in the fourth quarter after a 12-yard connection from J. Retzlaff to sophomore wide receiver Roshawn Lacy was fumbled and returned for a Falcon's touchdown. Nevertheless, Retzlaff connected with R. Retzlaff once again on the next possession for a 69-yard touchdown to bring the score back even at 38-all.

Both teams traded touchdowns for the third-straight time on consecutive possessions with the Retzlaff brothers meeting up for a 47-yard trip past the goal line , locking the score at 48-all.

With the offense cruising, it was only a matter of time until the defense made a huge play. And who better to do it than sophomore Demarco Moorer.

Moorer, who is on the verge of breaking the single season interception record at RCC, made a huge play with under four minutes left in the game by rising up for his eighth interception of the year as Cerritos was driving into Tiger territory.

Riverside took advantage and completed a seven play, 72 yard drive capped by a 16-yard touchdown run from freshman Cam Leofa leading to a 52-46 victory.

The Retzlaff connection may be the most powerful in the state. R. Retzlaff finished with 11 catches and a career-high 280 yards leading to three touchdowns. J. Retzlaff went 27-for-43 with 439 yards and four touchdown passes. He also added a rushing touchdown as well.

Defensively, Moorer continues to make a case for defensive player of the year after earning his eighth interception of the year and notching 11 tackles. Sophomore Gage Summers matched his 11-tackle output, while sophomore Arturo Orozco made 10 stops.