Glendora, CA (Football) – After last weeks defensive royal rumble with Glendale, today’s match-up with LA Harbor promised to be a shoot-out, as the Seahawks had the number one pass offense in the WSC, and the Owl’s knack of always being capable of breaking out with a big play. The fans who attended the last home game of the year for Citrus weren’t disappointed as Citrus ran their WSC South record to 5-0 in their 51-31 defeat of LA Harbor.
The Owl’s offense was particularly potent in today’s match as they scored in each and every drive they had. Citrus started of the game on the right foot taking the ball 74 yards in 10 plays capped off when quarterback Bryan Waggener found Charles Lewis all alone in the end zone for a 9-yard score. After kicker Kirk Cabana completed the extra point the Owl’s took an early 7-0 lead, and succeeded the ball to LA Harbor.
LA Harbor no slouches on the offensive end, would begin a 14 play 69 yard drive of their own. While Citrus never had trouble moving the ball, the Seahawks struggled when they moved deep into Owl territory, having to settle for a field goal on their first drive of the day. David Torres 22 yard kick would have the Seahawks trail by only 4, 3-7 with just over 2 minutes left to play in the 1st quarter.
The Owl’s would begin their next drive in the 1st quarter and end in the 2nd quarter Waggener would get his 2nd touchdown of the game for another 9-yard score this time to Colby Hunter, after Cabana’s extra-point attempt was muffed the Owl’s would lead 3-14. The Owl’s defense one of the best in the conference against the rush, would give up lots of yards in the air, but would be opportunistic when the time arose.
That time came in the Seahawk’s next drive when quarterback Keith Lockwood and running back Ferinand Flowers botched the hand-off and Citrus’ Josh Washington pounced on the ball, giving the Owl’s offense the ball back on the LA Harbor 27 yard line. It would take 4 plays for Citrus to find the end-zone as Leonard Mason, the WSC’s leading rusher scored on a run from 13 yards out. The Owl’s would go up 20-3.
LA Harbor would then get its first touchdown of the day as they took 11 plays to cover 79 yards, when Keith Lockwood completed a 18 yard strike to Kyle Flynn putting the score at 20-10. After an excessive celebration penalty on the Seahawks, LA Harbor found themselves having to kick form their own 20-yard line. The Owl’s special teams took advantage, as Damian James took the short kick 39 yards to give the Owl’s great field position yet again on the LA Harbor 39. 5 short plays later the Owl’s struck again, this time on a trick play. Waggener swung the ball to the right to Lewis who instead of running with it, pulled up and threw the ball 21 yards to a wide open Mark Castaneda to put the Owl’s up 27-10.
The Owl’s would give up one quick score before the half, when Lockwood connected with Damien Cartwright for a 20 yard strike, putting the score at 27-17 going into halftime. In the 3rd quarter both teams would trade scores, with the Owl’s striking first on a 10 yard Alex Gaines scamper for a TD, putting the Owl’s up 34-17. LA Harbor took the very next drive down the field and got their score as Lockwood connected with Deryn Bowser on a 30 yard score, making it 34-24 in favor of the Owl’s at the end of the 3rd quarter.
In the 4th the Owl’s pulled away scoring two touchdowns and getting a field goal, while only allowing the Seahawks to score once more. In the win the Owl’s run defense was impressive shutting down the Seahawks and only allowing them to gain 22 yards on 19 carries. In the loss Lockwood was impressive, throwing for 395 yards and 4 TD’s.
Despite the performance by Lockwood, the Fighting Owl’s kept stepping right beside him, as the generated 416 yards of total offense to LA Harbor’s 417, proving once again how complete a team the Owl’s are. Waggener finished the day completing 13 of 19 passes for 162 yards and 2 TD’s, while Mason gained 103 yards on 20 carriers and scored 1 touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jason Assaauna led all tacklers recording 7.5 tackles (7 solo and 1 assisted), and Josh Broughton recorded 5 tackles (4 solo and 2 assisted), including 1 tackle for a loss, and 2 pass break-ups.
With the win the Fighting Owl’s improve to 5-3 on the season and 5-0 in WSC South play. Citrus will be on the road for their two remaining regular season contests beginning next week as they travel to LA Southwest for a 1:00 pm showdown.
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