Top-Ranked Tiger Football Edged by Eighth-Ranked Golden West, 37-36

Top-ranked Riverside City College led a see-saw battle for most of the second half, but a touchdown in the final minute by host Golden West College proved to be the difference in the visiting Tigers' 37-36 loss on Saturday afternoon at Rustler Stadium.

The Tigers' record dropped to 1-1 on the season and was just the team's third loss in their past 28 games dating back to 2022. Eighth-ranked Golden West remained undefeated on the year, improving to 2-0.

The contest was a high-scoring affair in the opening period, as the two teams combined for six touchdowns in the opening 15 minutes. RCC, which trailed 14-0 and 21-6 at multiple stages in the first quarter, capped the opening period with a three-yard run by sophomore Andre Branch (Laveen, Ariz./Betty Fairfax HS). However, the potential tying two-point conversion failed, and the Tigers trailed 21-19 after one.

The pace of the contest slowed in the second, and RCC took its first lead of the day on a 23-yard fumble return by sophomore Raymond Valencia (Temecula/Chaparral HS) with 7:13 to go in the half. Golden West regained the lead, however, just over five minutes later, and the Rustlers led 27-26 at the halftime intermission.

Golden West extended its lead with a field goal on the first series of the second half, before a big play strike from freshman Christopher Cooper (Beaumont) to freshman KJ Cherry (Fontana/Etiwanda HS), netting 62 yards, gave the Tigers the lead again at 33-30. Sophomore Pedro Padilha (Corona) extended that lead to six points early in the fourth quarter with a 24-yard field goal, but those proved to be the final points of the afternoon for RCC.

The Rustlers picked up the tying score with exactly one minute remaining, as Will Burns connected with Beck Walker on a 12-yard touchdown. The ensuing extra point proved to be the difference, and a potential game-winning drive by RCC into Golden West territory was halted by an interception – the Tigers' fifth turnover of the day.

Turnovers were prevalent throughout the afternoon, with a combined nine miscues between the two teams. Each team fumbled the ball away twice, while RCC had two interceptions on defense to Golden West's three picks.

Cooper (143 yards) and sophomore Brady Jones (Murrieta/Vista Murrieta HS; 229 yards) combined for 372 yards passing, connecting with 10 different receivers on the afternoon. Sophomore Kaden Willerford (San Bernardino/Aquinas HS) led all players with 11 receptions for 121 yards, and freshman Dominic Cox (Upland) added five grabs for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore Eddie Allain (Riverside/Norte Vista HS) led the Tiger defensive with nine total tackles. Valencia and freshman Makai Sagiao (Huntington Beach/Edison HS) added six stops each, and Valencia registered an interception along with his fumble recovery touchdown. 

RCC remains on the road next Saturday (Sept. 21) for its final non-conference game of the season, heading to El Camino College for a 6 p.m. kickoff.