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

No. 2 Tigers Win Big, Hold Bobcats Out of End Zone

The No. 2 ranked Riverside City College football team hit the road for the first time this season as they faced off against the Saddleback College Bobcats. The Tigers had everything working on both sides of the ball as they amassed over 450 yards of total offense while holding the Bobcats to under 200 leading to a commanding 34-3 victory.

Riverside nearly accumulated 500 yard of total offense despite putting together their lowest offense output of the season. It was an even split with a consistent dose of the run and pass game. Riverside relied on seven running backs that earned 230 yards on the ground, while sophomore quarterback Jake Retzlaff located 10 different receivers leading to 259 yards and three touchdowns.

Freshman wide receiver Norbert Espadron was the main beneficiary through the air as he hauled in four grabs for 84 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His two touchdowns acted as the Tiger's first two scores. He took a 49 yard pass over the middle of the field to the house on Riverside's second possession of the game. He then took a 13 yard reception into the end zone to close out the opening frame to hand the Tigers an early 14-0 lead.

Sophomore wide receiver Reggie Retzlaff had the third receiving touchdown on his lone grab of the game. His six points came on an impressive fade route where he reached over the defender and planted two feet into the end zone for the score. He has scored at least one touchdown in each game this season.

Sophomore tight end Wyatt McClour had his best game of the season with four grabs for 28 yards, while sophomore wide receiver Roshawn Lacy snagged four catches for 47 yards.

Sophomore Jacob Marroquin kicked home a season-high two field goals. His first came in the second quarter and was good from 26 yards, while his second boot was converted from 39 yards in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring for the Tigers. Freshman running back Robert Valentine had the lone rushing score of the game as he pounded the rock across the goal line on a two-yard scurry.

Defensively, Riverside was led by sophomore linebacker Gage Summers. He recorded five total tackles with two going for a loss. He also recorded one sack for a loss of 10 yards. Sophomore Demarco Moorer and freshman Marseille Taylor also had five stops, while two of Moorer's stops went for a loss of yards.

Freshman defensive back Bryce Tate had a highlight reel interception in the end zone that came in the second quarter. It looked to be a simple pass break up, but he stuck with the play and batted the ball back up to himself leading to his first interception of the season.

Riverside recorded six sacks led by sophomore defensive lineman Alonzo Gray-Hall recording 1.5. Freshman Adrian Williams, sophomore Tasi Laufau and sophomore PJ PeluPelu were responsible for the other sacks.

The defense held the Bobcat offense to a mere 2.6 yards-per-play and under 200 total yards. They kept them out of the end zone as well which is the first time this season the Tigers have not allowed a touchdown.