It's Not How You Start...

Glendora, CA -- It's not how you start, it's how you finish. That adage has never been more clearly illustrated then on Saturday afternoon when the 7th ranked Owls took on SoCal #9 El Camino. Citrus started off slow, but finishes strong defeating the visiting Warriors 42-28.

The game started off terribly. The Owls offense struggled to get going, while the defense which forced two straight three and outs to start the game gave up two plays of over 60 plus yards which resulted in Citrus trailing 13-0. It was the first time the Owls had trailed in Citrus Stadium all season long. 

On that second El Camino TD, things began to swing Citrus' way when they blocked the extra point attempt. After that, the Owls reeled off 29 straight points as they dominated the game from that point forward.

Citrus first score of the game came with 6:52 to go in the 2nd quarter when freshman quarterback Larry Cutbirth connected with sophomore Scott Calles for a 28 yard strike. Four minutes later the Owls were back on the board and taking their first lead of the night when Cutbirth found freshman Brayton Newton for a eight yard score. The Owls weren't quite done with their second quarter scoring outburst, as they went up 22-13 headed into halftime when Cutbirth hit Newton on a dig route from five yards away. 

In the second half Citrus would keep it rolling. On the Owls' first offensive play from scrimmage Cutbirth passed the ball out wide to freshman running back Emmanuel Pooler who took the ball 45 yards to the house. El Camino would answer that score and a one yard TD plunge by Cutbirth to start the 4th, but the Owls had the last laugh when Cutbirth kept the ball on the option play and ran 21 yards into the end zone for the final play of the day. 

Cutbirth finished his day 23 of 37 for 308 yards and 4 passing touchdowns. Calles was his top target hauling in nine catches for 123 yards and that score. Defensively sophomore linebacker Maurice Dupleasis had a team high nine tackles, while freshman defensive back Charles Flowers had five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a pair of pass break-ups, and a game sealing interception deep in Citrus territory late in the 4th quarter. 

With the win, Citrus improves to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in Central Conference play. The Owls will be at home next Saturday for their home finale against Long Beach City College. Kick-off is set for 1:00 PM.