National-level matchup goes to Riverside, 38-28

It was a matchup not to be glossed over: No. 3 Southwestern College (6-0) at No. 1 Riverside (6-0) in a National Southern Division clash to highlight last Saturday’s community college football slate.

The numbers told the story.

Southwestern entered the high profile contest ranked sixth nationally while Riverside was No. 2. Both Southern California squads were among only four undefeated JC football teams left in the nation.

SWC entered Saturday’s game with a cumulative eight-game winning streak dating to last season and had won 15 of its last 18 contests to reach historic national prominence.

The Oct. 17 contest easily stood as California’s most compelling community college matchup this season. Riverside won 38-28 in no slight to Southwestern.

The Tigers improved to 7-1 on the season while the Jaguars fell to 6-1. Riverside leads the conference standings at 4-0 while Southwestern now finds itself in a tie with Saddleback at 3-1. In another result of note, Saddleback defeated San Diego Mesa, 30-27, in overtime on Saturday after the Jags had edged the Olympians, 44-42 in a prior triple overtime contest.

Playing with the big guys has to be rewarding for head coach Oscar Rodriguez and his staff in bringing the team this far in three years. It’s been a phenomenal job.

Miscues and penalties cost Southwestern against Riverside.

The Jags were penalized 14 times for 125 yards while the Tigers were charged with nine infractions for 108 yards. The Jags lost one fumble and were the victim of five sacks.

Despite this, Southwestern came out of the fray with a 33:22 to 26:28 edge in time of possession.

The Jags scored first on a 60-yard pass from Dom Duran to A.J. Perry II. Riverside countered with three unanswered touchdowns to lead, 21-7, however. Southwestern stemmed the tide with a four-yard rushing touchdown by Caleb Blocker to make it a one score game at 21-14.

The Tigers scored again for a 28-14 lead but the Jags followed suit on a 52-yard scoring pass from Duran to Titus White to creep closer at 28-21.

But two more Riverside touchdowns dealt Southwestern a bum hand. Down 38-21, the Jags rallied with one final score on a 19-yard scoring pass from Duran to Malachi Bean-Seay.

38-28. Southwestern was not embarrassed.

Duran completed 17 of 33 passing attempts for 268 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Blocker rushed for 67 yards and one touchdown while Bean-Seay (six catches, 69 yards), White (two catches, 62 yards) and White (one catch, 60 yards) led the receiver corps.

Daniel Meadows recorded four PAT conversions and averaged 48.3 yards on four kickoffs. Steven Benson drilled one kickoff for 54 yards while Aaron Lee averaged 25 yards on three punts.

Joseph Stephens had 52 yards on two kickoff returns while Michael Moore had 41 yards on two kickoff returns. Bean-Seay returned one kickoff 20 yards.

The SWC defense entered the game having allowed 16.3 points per game while Riverside entered the game averaging 45.8 points per game. The Jaguars were not far behind in the scoring column at 45.5 points per game.

Niko Ta’a keyed the Southwestern defense with 13 tackles against Riverside while Valentino Wedderburn and Brady Eads followed with 10 and nine defensive stops. Exodus Ayers and Damarrion White had recorded one sack.

The teams combined for 745 total yards in offense, with the Jags holding a 405-341 edge. The Tigers held the rushing edge  157-118.

Southwestern, which fell to No. 6 in the state rankings, No. 20 nationally, will now regroup for a road game at El Camino (3-4) this Saturday and host Saddleback in a Halloween afternoon matchup. Saddleback is currently 5-1 overall, No. 3 in the state, and not to be overlooked. 

3C2A FOOTBALL RANKINGS
1. Riverside 7-0
2. San Mateo 6-1
3. Saddleback 6-1
4. Mt. San Antonio 6-1
5. Sierra 6-12
6. Southwestern 6-1
7. Cerritos 6-1
8. Butte 5-2
9. San Diego Mesa 5-2
10. Fresno 5-2
11. Golden West 5-2
12. Ventura 5-2
13. Pasadena 5-2
14. Chaffey 5-2
15. Modesto 4-3
16. Monterey Peninsula 5-2
17. Redwoods 5-2
18. (tie) San Francisco 4-3
18. (tie) Fullerton 4-3
20. Diablo Valley 4-3
21. Sequoias 4-3
22. Allan Hancock 4-3
23. Laney 4-3
24. El Camino 3-4
25. Bakersfield 3-4
Others receiving votes: Shasta 7-0, Palomar 3-4, Antelope Valley 6-1, San Bernardino Valley 6-1, Foothill 3-4, Grossmont 6-2, Santa Monica 6-2, De Anza 3-4, Feather River 5-2, Los Medanos 5-2, Mt. San Jacinto 2-5