Big Plays = Big Win

Glendora, CA -- The Citrus College Football team, ranked #14 in the State, improved to 2-0 on the year thanks to a big 30-10 win over Moorpark College on Saturday afternoon. The Owls did so thanks to a steady diet of big plays on offense, and a defense that allowed just a single field goal as Moorpark's only offensive score to earn the victory.

Just like last week, the Owls struck early and often. Freshman quarterback Larry Cutbirth found a wide open Charles Johnson from 21 yards out midway through the first quarter to give Citrus a 7-0 lead. On the Owls' next drive, Cutbirth got Citrus on the board again thanks to an eight yard touchdown run, that followed a big 29 yard rush by Emmanuel Pooler on the previous play.

Citrus scored twice more in the second quarter, one on a 51 yard screen play from Cutbirth to sophomore Donovan Holmes and the other a 33 yard touchdown run by Pooler that put the Owls up 27-7 just before the half. Moorpark's only touchdown in the game, came in between Citrus' two scores in the second quarter, when the Raiders' defensive back Chris Taylor ripped the ball from an Owls receiver deep in Citrus' territory and took it into the end zone for a score.

The second half saw little scoring by either team. Moorpark got a 36 yard field goal with 4:26 to go in the third quarter, and the Owls had a 36 yard field goal attempt sail just left after it was tipped by a Raider defender. Freshman kicker Jaime Toscano redeemed himself later in the fourth quarter though, when he booted a 32 yard kick that put the game at it's final score of 30-10.

In the win, Citrus was led by Cutbirth who completed 17 of his 25 pass attempts for 184 yards and those two TD's. Cutbirth also carried the ball 13 times for a total of 33 yards and his one rushing touchdown. Pooler would finish the day with 9 carries for 77 yards, while sophomore Scott Calles and freshman Demetre Smith each had a team high four catches each. Calles racked up 39 yards on those four receptions, while Smith posted 27.

On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore Herman Akins had an active day with 13 tackles and a pass break-up. Sophomore Kenyatta Johnson and Jesus Vargas each had two sacks a piece, while sophomore Maurice Dupleasis had seven tackles, half a sack, a fumble recovery, a break-up, and a pair of hurries.

The Owls will be back at home next Saturday when they host Grossmont College, ranked #17 in the State. Kick-off is set for 1:00 PM in Citrus Stadium.