Photo by Cassandra Serrano
Photo by Cassandra Serrano

Big Plays and Four Takeaways Push No. 1 Football Past El Camino

The top-ranked Tigers looked to remain undefeated on Saturday afternoon entering into their third conference showdown of the season. They hosted the No. 24 El Camino College Warriors on home turf and compiled 652 yards of offense and defeated the Warriors by 35 points.

Sophomore quarterback Jake Retzlaff played just over two quarters of action, but still managed to throw for 512 yards and six touchdowns. He nearly broke the RCC single game passing record once again which was set by himself in a week one victory over Mt. San Jacinto.

His six touchdown passes found the hands of four different targets highlighted by two early connections to sophomore wide receiver Juwan Tucker. Tucker finished with three grabs for 75 yards. His first touchdown snag was the first score of the game going for 49 yards, backed by an early second quarter score that he took to the house from 17 yards out.

J. Retzlaff continued his strong connection with sophomore wide receiver Reggie Retzlaff who surpassed the century mark in receiving for the fourth time this season. He finished with three grabs for 114 yards and two scores. His biggest score came on a 65-yard link in the second quarter.

Freshman Jayon Farrar and sophomore Roshawn Lacy were responsible for a touchdown each. Farrar had the last and longest score of the game going for 73 yards, while Lacy trotted 30 yards to the crib to close out the second quarter.

The defense showed up in a big way by allowing just 10 points a mere field goal in the second half. Riverside tallied four takeaways throughout the game; three through the air and one on the ground.

Sophomore Demarco Moorer rose up for his state-leading seventh interception in the first quarter. He also led the Tigers in tackles with six highlighted by one tackle for a loss of one yard.

Freshman duo Quinn Sullivan and Lovewyn Don-Willies recorded their first career interceptions, while Sullivan also forced one fumble. The fumble was recovered by freshman Bryce Tate inside the Tiger's 10 yard line after El Camino broke off a huge play.

Freshman Jason Mitchell recorded five tackles, while four players had four tackles highlighted by freshman Keithan Gooden. He swatted away three passes as well to lead the team.

As a whole, the defense allowed under 300 total yards and a mere 71 yards on the ground. The Warriors were halted to just 3.8 yards per play.