The Game of Inches

Victorville, CA - They say that football is a game of inches. A game that is played inside the trenches and is won and/or lost in those few inches gained on the ground. If that's the case, that explains why the Owls fell for the second straight week as a rushing attack that was averaging 3.9 yards per carry and 146.8 yards per game, was held to -0.7 yards a rush and -22 yards on the whole in Citrus' 7-26 loss. 

 The Citrus defense, which held it's own throughout the game with a bend but not break presence, gave up an early offensive score after an uncharacteristic personal foul penalty by the Owls led to extended life for the Rams and eventually a 3-0 lead after a 35 yard field goal. 

With the Owls' defense doing it's part to keep the Rams out of the end zone, the Owls' offense struggled to get much momentum going. Citrus didn't get a solid drive until their first full drive of the second quarter. Citrus would drive the ball all the way down to the Victor Valley 22, but sophomore quarterback Brian Meyette was picked off at the five to end the threat. 

Victor Valley meanwhile would score twice more before the end of the second quarter, but one was on defense when they sacked Meyette in Citrus' own end zone and the other on a special teams play when they returned the ball 35 yards on a punt for a TD to make it 12-0. 

The Rams would add two more offensive scores before the game was over, scoring on a strong seven play 72 yard drive with 1:58 in the third and the second on a short field with 6:46 to go in the game. Conversely, the Citrus offense made just three deep foray's into Victor Valley territory in the second half, and the results were a missed field goal, another interception, and finally a touchdown when Meyette connected with freshman Jacob Bystry for an 8-yard TD reception with 3:19 to go. 

In the loss, Meyette was 19 of 34 for 183 yards and the one TD. Sophomore Zachary Labar came off the bench to complete 6 of 7 passes for 103 yards. Bystry was a favorite target with six catches for 52 yards and the score. Freshman Mackenzie Sternquist had 7 catches for 44 yards. Defensively, freshman Henry Pigee had six total tackles and a break-up. 

With the loss, Citrus drops to 3-2 on the year. The Owls will have to put Saturday's set back behind them as they kick-off conference play on Saturday. Citrus hosts Antelope Valley College at 1:00 PM.