Glendora, CA (Football) -- It took nearly 33 minutes, but once the Citrus College offense got a full head of steam they were like a runaway locomotive and nearly impossible to stop. The Fighting Owls went on a 26-3 run over the final 27 minutes of Saturday’s season finale against Riverside, and went out on top with a 26-16 victory over the Tigers.
While the Citrus offense struggled to open up the contest, Riverside didn’t show the same signs. After getting held to a three and out on the initial drive, the Tigers had a strong drive halted by a Christyn Lewis interception. The next time they got the ball back though, Riverside got a score when Nathan Lamonica connected with Bruce Palmer for a 14 yard score.
After that though, both teams traded drives until Riverside got the ball back with just over two minutes left in the half. The Tigers drove down to the Citrus 24 yard line, but closed the half with a missed 41 yard field goal attempt by Chase Griswold that sailed wide right.
At the start of the second half things looked like they would continue to go Riverside’s way as they took just 55 seconds to score when Tommy Curry found the end zone on a 38 yard run. Trailing 13-0 after a missed extra point attempt, the Citrus offense needed a spark and they got exactly that on the following drive.
After Brandon Stansell set things off on the right foot with a 27 yard kick-off return, sophomore Isaac Tucker rushed for a 38 yard gain and put the Owls on Riverside’s 35 yard line. Two plays later Ingram found Tucker on a pass and Tucker took it into the end zone for a 33 yard score that put the Owls down by six points after a Rauley Zaragoza extra point.
On the following Tiger drive, the Citrus defense shut down Riverside’s offense forcing a three and out and giving the Owls the ball back on Riverside’s 40 yard line. With the offense rolling all it took was five plays for Ingram to find Matthew Cheaney for an 11 yard strike that gave Citrus a 14-13 lead with just over eight minutes to play in the third.
Riverside would answer on their next drive, pushig the ball down to the Citrus 22 yard line where Griswold connected on a 39 yard field goal attempt, putting the Tigers up 16-14. The Owls offensive momentum continued though as they went 72 yards in 10 plays and got yet another touchdown when Ingram hooked up with Travis Karnoski for a seven yard TD reception.
With the offense running on all cylinders, the Citrus defense kicked things into high gear, harassing the Tiger offense and forcing them into yet another three and out. Three plays later Citrus was in the end zone yet again when Ingram found Tyra Waits for a 34 yard strike that gave Citrus their final 26-16 advantage.
In the win, Citrus was led by Ingram who finished his day 15 of 27 for 224 yard and four scores. Ingram finished his 2009 campaign with 2,219 yards passing just 44 yards shy of the single season program record. Defensively, the Fighting Owls were led by Namari Flentroy who recorded a game high 11 tackles, including one tackle for a loss and one quarterback hurry, and Kevin Puckett who had five tackles and two interceptions (his fifth and sixth of the season).
With the win, Citrus finishes the season 3-7 overall and 2-4 in Central Conference games, while Riverside falls to 1-9 overall and 0-6 in conference play.
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