Photo by Bobby R. Hester
Photo by Bobby R. Hester

No. 1 Football Rolls Grossmont in Conference Opener

After enjoying a week of rest and recuperation, the top-ranked Riverside City College football team returned to the gridiron to take on the Grossmont College Griffins in conference action. It was all Riverside throughout the duration of the contest and the scene never shifted as seen in a commanding 55-12 victory.

Riverside was dominant on both sides of the pigskin highlighted by racking up 691 yards of total offense. The bulk of the Tiger's yardage came through the air with 537 passing yards. A total of 12 different receivers caught at least one pass with three different players finding the end zone.

Sophomore slot receiver Dylan Laurent was a mainstay in the end zone highlighted by seven catches for 137 yards and a trio of scores. His first score came on the opening drive on a 65-yard reception. Freshman Rolandiss Whitener Jr. paced the Tigers in receptions and receiving yards by hauling in eight grabs for 148 yards. He landed in the end zone once. Freshman Isaiah Leeth hauled in six catches for 44 yards, while sophomore Giovanni Sanders snagged four grabs for 89 yards.

The dual quarterback system continued to bode well for Riverside as sophomore Mike Irwin and freshman Jacob Barlage handled the offense equally. Irwin went 21-for-31 with 312 yards and three touchdown passes, while Barlage went 16-for-26 with 225 yards and two touchdown passes. Barlage utlizied his legs effectively as well by carting the ball five times for 11 yards and a pair of rushing scores.

The defense held Grossmont to just 12 points with an even split in the second and third quarters. They held the Griffins to just 81 rushing yards and a 24 percent third-down efficiency rating. It was a team effort on defense with sophomore Kue Olotoa pacing the squad with five tackles. Freshman Randall Turner and sophomore Manu Ta'a each recorded a sack, while freshman Shawn Dourseau rose up for his third interception of the season. His interception marks the sixth-consecutive contest the Tigers have recorded at least one turnover.

Riverside (6-0, 1-0) will return home for the first time in a month to host the Golden West College Rustlers in conference action. Game time is set for 6 p.m. If you are unable to make it out to the contest, be sure to follow live on Riverside Athletics YouTube channel.