Won in the Trenches

Pasadena, CA -- The Citrus College Football team opened up their 2013 season on Saturday night, and controlled most of the game in a 34-21 victory. The Owls dominated the line of scrimmage, holding Pasadena City College to 0.5 yards per rush attempt winning the game in the trenches.

The Owls got on the board in their second drive of the game, taking advantage of an interception by freshman Charles Flowers deep in Pasadena territory. Freshman quarterback Larry Cutbirth found freshman Brayton Newton from 9 yards out in their second play of the drive to grab an early 7-0 lead. 

Citrus kept their momentum going in their next possession when Cutbirth kept the ball on an inside option play, cut right, and dashed up the right side of the field 61 yards to give the Owls a two touchdown lead. 

The Owls still weren't done in the first quarter, as Cutbirth threw his second straight touchdown on their next drive. This time he hooked up with sophomore Justin Williams from 15 yards away for the score.

Citrus slowed down over the remaining three quarters. Of their final three score two were field goals, a 39 and 37 yard strike off the foot of freshman Jaime Toscano, and the third was a 72 yard punt return for a touchdown by 
Justin Martin in the 3rd. 

All of Pasadena's scoring would come in the second half and much of it was due to sloppy play by the Owls. One low point for Citrus was the  159 yards of penalties it accrued on the night.

Still there was much to be excited about. Cutbirth finished the night 15 of 22 for 157 yards and 2 TD's. On the defensive side of the ball sophomore linebacker Maurice Dupleasis was electric. Dupleasis recorded 12 tackles in total, 4.5 for a loss, forced a fumble, and had two sacks. 

With the win, Citrus improves to 1-0 on the year. The Owls will be back out on the gridiron next week for their home opener against Moorpark College. Kick-off is set for 1:00 PM in Citrus Stadium.