State Preview: Football Hunts for Program’s Second Undefeated State Championship

For the past six years, the Riverside City College football program has been the state's top squad in terms of wins, overall team and individual statistics and transfer rate. After routing Fullerton in the Southern California Championship game, 31-17, they have reached their third-consecutive California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship game.

The Tigers reigned supreme against the City College of San Mateo Bulldogs, 31-14, in 2019 for the program's first title in 30 years. They returned in 2021 and suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the City College of San Francisco in 2021. Nevertheless, the stage to repeat history; something that no community college program has ever accomplished.

They will face off against the Northern California Champion CC San Mateo this Saturday, December 10 at 12 p.m.

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The game will be hosted up North on the campus of CC San Mateo. It is a cashless event and tickets can be purchase through Hometown Ticketing. No season passes will be accepted at the gate. All ticket pricing information can be found at the link above.

Prior to the 2019 title, the Tigers had not reached the state championship game in 30 years. Riverside has now reached the final dance the past three years. They have been ranked in the top two all season in the California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA) and the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) polls. The Bulldogs are currently ranked second in the CCCSIA poll and fourth in the Coaches Association poll.

It is no secret that the Tigers are the favorites to win the program's second ring. They rank first in the state with 390.6 yards-per-game, 7,091 total yards, 4,687 total passing yards and 67 total touchdowns. Furthermore, they rank second in the state with 590.9 total yards-per-game and sixth with 200.3 rushing yards-per-game and 16 interceptions.

Riverside has put up 30 or more points in every game this season with seven of their wins surpassing the 40-point mark.

Captaining the offense is sophomore quarterback Jake Retzlaff.

J. Retzlaff added to his nation-pacing numbers last Saturday as he currently boasts 378.7 yards-per-game, 44 touchdown passes, 4,544 passing yards, 305 completions and 9.7 yards-per-attempt. He has thrown for at least 200 yards in every game highlighted by a record-breaking 529 yards in a week one victory over Mt. San Jacinto. Furthermore, he has thrown at least one touchdown in all but one game featuring three six-touchdown games. In the past five games, he has thrown 23 touchdown passes with just three picks.

His legs have been just as impressive as he is second on the team with 67 carries for 485 yards. He leads the Tigers with six rushing touchdowns while averaging a team-high 7.2 yards-per-carry. Additionally, he has been sacked just four times on the year.

Sophomore wide receiver Reggie Retzlaff linked up with his brother, Jake, for the first time since high school and has been the top aerial weapon in the nation. He is the lone receiver in the nation to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark and average more than a bill receiving per game. He currently holds 1,244 yards receiving leading to 103.7 receiving yards-per-game. He has surpassed the century mark in receiving in five games highlighted by a monstrous 11 catch, 280 yards game in a comeback win over Cerritos. He has scored a touchdown in all but two games featuring two games with three touchdown receptions. He is currently riding a five-game touchdown streak that has found him in the end zone 11 times.

The ground game has featured a grip of studs led by freshman running back Bryce Strong. Strong, who took over the starting job halfway through the season, has carted the pigskin 106 times leading to 739 total yards and five touchdowns. He average seven yards-per-carry with the majority of them coming from yards after contact. He averages 61.6 rushing yards-per-game and 87.4 all-purpose yards-per-game. He has caught 21 passes for 258 yards.

Freshman Robert Valentine and sophomore Donovan Harvey have been consistent running weapons as they have combined for over 400 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. Sophomore Jaquez Jones has carried the ball 70 times for 359 yards and two scores.

Sophomore wide receiver Roshawn Lacy has been dynamic, especially in post-season play. He has racked up 39 grabs from 558 yards and eight touchdowns ranking second on the team. Three of them came in the Southern California Semifinal win over Ventura. Sophomore Juwan Tucker ranks third with seven touchdowns despite having a just 15 grabs for 244 yards. Sophomore Norbert Espadron and freshman Norion Espadron have been shifty weapons in the slot as they have combined for 61 grabs for 875 yards and five touchdowns.

Riverside owns one of the strongest kickers in the state in the form of sophomore Jacob Marroquin. He has sent home 17 field goals with his longest from 43 yards out. He is nearly perfect in point after attempts, as he has booted through 66-of-67 attempts. Sophomore punter Jared Campbell is just as impressive despite the Tigers not needing to punt much this season. He has reared back 37 times from 1,139 yards with 11 punts landing inside the 20-yard line.

Defensively, Riverside is led by their line backing core featuring sophomores Arturo Orozco and Gage Summers. The two have combined for over 100 tackles with Orozco leading the team with 63 stops. He leads the team with 4.5 sacks and up one fumble recovery as well. Summers follows with 59 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Sophomore defensive back Demarco Moorer will need two more interceptions to break the single season record. He currently has nine picks and five pass break ups. Furthermore, he ranks third on the team with 49 tackles with 4.5 of them behind the line of scrimmage.

The defensive line is led by sophomore trio Alex Navarro-Silva, Talib Salahuddin and Alonzo Gray-Hall. Navarro-Silva has recorded 42 tackles and 2.5 sacks in addition to a fumble recovery. Salahuddin has an even 40 tackles with 3.5 sacks, while Gray-Hall has matched his 3.5 sacks mark to go along with 33 tackles.