Glendora, CA (Football) -- Despite getting over 100 yards rushing from Isaac Tucker for the second game in a row (the first back to back 100 yard rushing games of the season for Citrus), the Fighting Owls still lost to visiting El Camino College 14-33 on Saturday afternoon. Citrus turned the ball over three times, something that ultimately doomed the Fighting Owls who were in the game well into the fourth quarter against the number six team in the nation, according to JCGridwire.com.
After being forced to punt on their first possession, the Fighting Owls pinned El Camino down inside their own five yard line for their first drive of the game. Despite the uninviting field position, the Warriors wasted little time in moving down the field, going 95 yards in just seven plays giving El Camino an early 7-0 lead.
The Warriors would strike again in the second quarter, again facing poor field position. With the ball on their own two yard line, El Camino marched 97 yards scoring on a one yard TD dive by Andre Harris that gave them a 13-0 lead after the extra-point was blocked.
After two big drives, the Fighting Owls appeared to be in for a long day, but the Citrus defense dug in its heals, forcing punts in their next three possessions, and trailing by just two scores after the first half of play.
El Camino would come out in the second half with another quick score to go up 19-0 after another blocked extra point attempt, but this time the Citrus offense responded. After wide-receiver Adolph Overstreet took the ensuing kick-off and returned the ball into El Camino territory, Citrus used two plays and the shortened field to score. Quarterback Austin Goldsmith connected with Tucker on a screen pass that Tucker took to the house pulling the Fighting Owls to within 12 points at 7-19.
The Warriors responded with another fast score, but Citrus did the same thanks to Goldsmith hooking up with Overstreet for a 17 yard touchdown pass, that was set up by a 40 yard rush by Tucker earlier in the drive. With the Citrus offense needing their defense to get a stop, they got exactly what they wished for as the Fighting Owls forced El Camino into a four and out, giving the offense back the ball with plenty of time to work.
But as has been the case all season, the Fighting Owls turned the ball over, when Goldsmith passed the ball backwards to a Citrus receiver. The ball fell to the ground, and El Camino picked it up sucking all of the momentum out of Citrus’ upset bid.
In the loss, Citrus was led by Tucker who rushed for 119 yards, and caught three passes for 75 yards and a score. Defensively Citrus was led by Bronze Withem, Phillip Chase, and Mark Gadea, who all recorded 9 tackles a piece.
With the loss Citrus falls to 2-7 overall and 1-4 in National Conference Central Division play, while El Camino improves to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in conference. The Fighting Owls have just one game left on their 2008 slate, as they travel to Riverside College next Saturday. Kick-off is set for 6:00 PM.
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