Glendora, CA (Football) – When the 2007 Citrus College Football season kicked off, the Fighting Owls new that the key to their 2007 fates would lie in the hands of a defense that returned a ton of key starters. If tonight’s 27-10 win over Orange Coast College was any indication, than the 2007 edition of the Fighting Owls should be just fine.
The Citrus College defense had a stellar opening night by holding the Pirates to just 220 total yards of offense, including 98 yards rushing on 46 attempts. Where the defense really excelled was in forcing turnover opportunities. The Citrus College defense forced the Pirates into three lost fumbles and two interceptions. Furthermore two of Citrus’ touchdowns were scored as a result of the Fighting Owls forcing Orange Coast turnovers.
When the game began however, it was the Pirates who struck first. Orange Coast kicked things off by forcing the Fighting Owls to go four and out in the opening drive of the first quarter. The Pirates followed that up with a 44 yard field goal by Shea Curran with 8:28 to play in the first.
With Orange Coast notching the first blow the Fighting Owls were quick to answer with a score of their own. On third and 17 from the Orange Coast 46 yard line, freshman Travis Gowan hit a streaking Josh Adams for a 46 yard touchdown score to give Citrus a 7-3 lead.
The Fighitng Owls would take that four point lead into their second quarter when the Citrus defense struck gold. As they forced the Pirates all the way back to their own 24 yard line, James Dunlap came bursting around the corner to lay a monster hit on OCC quarterback Taylor Hughes that caused him to fumble the ball. Citrus linebacker Devin Johnson was their to pick up the pieces on the Orange Coast eight yard line, as he ran the ball into the end zone to give Citrus a 14-3 lead.
Just minutes later the Fighting Owls would parlay special teams hustle into yet another score. After being forced into a four and out situation, Citrus punter Nick Somes boomed a punt to the Orange Coast 14 yard line, where OCC’s Nathan Barnett bobbled the ball into the hands of Fighting Owl Jereme Garrett. With a new breath of life, and the ball in the enemy’s territory, the Fighting Owls went for blood on the first play and connected off a Travis Gowan 14 yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Lacount.
With a 20-3 lead going into halftime the Fighting Owls and Pirates would turn the second half into a defensive battle. Both teams would grind out play in the third and fourth quarters with only two scores taking place in that time. The Owls would strike first with an eight play 85 yard drive that took place between the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarters. The entire drive was capped off by a 29 yard Marquis Winbush scamper to the end zone giving Citrus a 27-3 lead. The Pirates would answer on the next drive with a score of their own, but it was too little too late as the Citrus would go on to a 27-10 victory.
In the win the Fighting Owls were led by Marquis Winbush who rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown on 13 carriers. Quarterback Travis Gowan was near perfect in his Citrus College debut going 11 for 17 for 128 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. The Owls leading receivers were tight end Tyson Hetzer who caught three balls for 39 yards, and wide receiver Josh Adams who caught two passes for 49 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively the Owls were led by their dynamic duo at linebacker, Jason Assanah and Demarcus Flanagan. Assanah, the teams leading tackler last season, recorded 10.5 tackles (8 solo) and one sack. Flanagan, the reigning WSC South Defensive Player of the Year, was second on the team with 9 tackles, including two tackles for a loss, and one sack.
With the win the Fighting Owls improve to 1-0 on the season, while Orange Coast falls to 0-1. Next up for the Fighting Owls is a trip to Victor Valley College to take on the Rams who fell earlier this afternoon to Mt. SAC 17-62. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
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