Football Looks Promising in Season Opening Win

Glendora, CA (Football) -- The Citrus College Football team took the field for the first time on Saturday afternoon, and if their play today was any indicator things look promising. The Owls looked efficient on offense and menacing on defense as they defeated Pasadena City College 35-14.

The Owls wasted little time on Saturday afternoon taking the ball 78 yards in just eight plays on their second drive of the contest. Freshman quarterback Bernard Porter found sophomore running back Andre Holmes on a screen pass that he took 25 yards to the end zone to give Citrus a 6-0 lead after a failed extra point attempt.

After that the Owls hit a few bumps stalling out on their next couple of possessions. The Citrus defense returned the favor to the Lancers, until Pasadena got on the board late in the second quarter to briefly take the lead 7-6.

Citrus would quickly answer though as sophomore Jo Jo Curiel took the ensuing kick-off 61 yards back down the field to put the Owls on the Pasadena 32 yard line. Three plays later, Porter connected with freshman tight end Robbie Haines for a nine yard score that made it 14-7 Citrus after they made good on a two-point conversion.

Pasadena's very next play would result in them coughing up the ball, and the Owls getting it back when sophomore defensive lineman Donnie Fields fell on it. With promising field position again, the Owls took six plays to find the end zone making it 21-7 after freshman full back Justin Robles scored from two yards out.

On the next kick-off, the Lancers would get a strong return that put them nearly at the half way mark of the field. Two play later, the Owls gave up one of their few big plays of the day when Pasadena's Tairen Owens caught the ball on a 49 yard touchdown pass and catch.

Up just a touchdown headed into the second half, the Owls took over the game in the third quarter. The Lancers got the ball to start things off, and the Citrus defense responded after giving up a big play by forcing a three and out.

Citrus would then get the ball back on their own 21 yard line, and proceed on a 11 play 79 yard drive that ate up 5:46 on the clock. The drive ended when Porter connected with freshman wideout Scott Calles from 19 yards away. Calles would make a end zone sideline toe tapping grab that put the Owls up 28-14.

The Owls offense and defense kept it going after that. The defense again forced a three and out, and the offense again went on a long drive that ate up a large chunk of the clock. When Citrus found the end zone again, it came when Porter scampered in to the end zone from two yards out to give Citrus their 35-14 lead.

Porter would finish the day 18 of 28 for 221 yards passing and three passing touchdowns, to go with his rushing score. Curiel would be his top target with five receptions and 54 yards, but Porter didn't discriminate as he completed passes to 10 different receivers. Holmes would be the Owls top rusher on the day carrying the ball 10 times for 43 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore linebacker Simon Pruitt helped set the tone with 10 tackles and a sack. The Citrus defense harassed Pasadena's Justin Posthuma with four sacks on the day. Sophomore safety Rodney Mathews added eight tackles, while Fields recorded six tackles, one sack, the fumble recovery, and four quarterback hurries.

With the win, Citrus moves to 1-0 on the year. The Owls will hit the road for the second game of the year next Saturday when they take on Moorpark College. Kick-off is set for 1:00 PM.