Valencia, CA(Football) – Coming into tonight’s contest versus College of the Canyons, the Citrus College Fighting Owls had picked up tons of momentum in cruising through their first 3 WSC games. The Owls won their first 3 Western State Conference games by an average of 31 points. During that stretch, the Owls had produced the 2nd best run defense in the conference, and the conference’s top rusher in Leonard Mason. All of that changed tonight when College of the Canyons stonewalled the Owls in a 14-43 loss for Citrus.
The tempo was set early when the Owls either turned the ball over either on downs or other methods in their first 4 drives. On the opposite end of the spectrum was COC who scored on all 4 of their first 4 drives of the night. The Owls defense dug in deep the first 3 scores, forcing field goals of 19, 18, and 33 yards, but finally gave way in the 2nd quarter when COC quarterback Ryan Whitcomb connected with Terrence Scott for a 31 yard strike. After the Cougars failed to convert their 2-point conversion, COC led 15-0.
The Owls first score of the night would come on the ensuing drive. After two consecutive personal foul calls, and a 20 yard scramble by Bryan Waggener, the Owls found themselves with 1st and 10 on the Canyons 41 yard line. On the very next play Waggener connected with wide-out Charles Lewis for a 41 yard touchdown score, the lone high-point for Waggener on the night, putting the Owls on the board at 7-15. Waggener would struggle the rest of the evening finishing the game with a 7 for 21 night, 3 picks, and only 64 yards passing.
The usually stout Citrus defense also struggled mightily beginning mid-way through the 2nd. Once COC scored their first touchdown, the defense wasn’t able to stop the high-powered Cougar Offense. The Owl’s defense surrendered 299 yards rushing and 184 yards through the air. Most shockingly was how porous the run defense was, as Brian Stuart torched the Owls for 110 yards, and Kyle Thomas for 97. Thomas was particularly slippery as he only carried the ball 5 times and averaged 19.4 yards per carry.
COC would score one more touchdown in the 1st half, and would strike again in the 3rd quarter before Citrus could get another score. With the Owl’s trailing 29-7, Leonard Mason busted loose for a 17 yard touchdown run. Mason was largely ineffective throughout the night, as the WSC’s leading rusher was held to only 28 yards on 8 carries. COC would score twice more before the night was up, with game ending with Citrus on the losing end 14-43.
Despite the loss, the Owls had two bright spots on the night, both coming from the defensive end. Jason Assauna had a season and team high 12 tackles on the night while also recording one pass break-up. Defensive captain Caleb Flores also had a stand out night, recording 4 tackles, 1 pass break-up, and 2 interceptions.
With the loss the Owls fall to 3-3 on the season, but still remain at 3-0 in WSC play. Next up for the Owls, will be yet another tough test as Glendale College comes calling. Glendale and Citrus both currently stand in 1st place in the WSC South. The game will be played at Citrus Stadium with kickoff starting at 1:00 pm.
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