Photo by Matthew Nolan
Photo by Matthew Nolan

Third-Ranked Tigers Trounce Jaguars

Third-ranked Riverside City College came out fired up and dominated a 69-3 victory over Southwestern College Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers improve to 6-1 overall and remain undefeated in the National Southern League at 4-0. The Jaguars leave Riverside still looking for their first win of the year (0-6, 0-4).

RCC wasted little time and scored on the first drive of the game in just three plays as Brady Jones made three of his 21 completions in the game, cumulating with an 18-yard pass to Kaden Willerford before Luis Marin knocked in the extra point.

The Tigers jumped out to a 34-0 lead before the first quarter expired, Riverside's highest output in the first quarter since 2018.

Riverside finished with 599 total offensive yards, including 346 net passing and 253 rushing yards.

Jones set a new RCC record with eight passing touchdowns in a single game, finishing 21-for-26 with 331 yards and no interceptions.

Dominic Cox (six receptions for 138 yards) and Jackson Owens (seven catches for 57 yards) each snagged two touchdown passes, while three different kickers scored extra points for the Tigers: Pedro Padilha (3-for-3), Talan Samosky (2-for-2) and Marin (4-for-4).

Defensively, Riverside held Southwestern to just 151 total offensive yards, including 30 yards passing and 121 yards rushing. The Jaguars also only scored off a field goal in the second quarter.

Saipeti Maiava, Jr. posted a team-high seven tackles for RCC, including a sack for four yards, three solo tackles and a breakup. Raymond Valencia, Ja'wuan Nickson and Tayven Anderson each had four tackles in the game, including three tackles for loss, a sack and an interception from Anderson.

After the game, head coach Tom Craft was told he will be inducted into the Riverside City Sports Hall of Fame.  

The Tigers head to No. 14-ranked Saddleback College next week for a 6 p.m. kick off, looking to keep its top spot in conference.