By Matthew Dziak / Asst. Sports Editor
Moving the chains (Jacob Wilson / Asst. Photo Editor)
By Matthew Dziak / Asst. Sports Editor
On homecoming night at Wheelock Stadium, the Riverside City College football team completed a perfect (10-0) season by handling Southwestern College 59-24.
The Tigers came out focused and more intense than ever, which could be seen in pre-game warm ups.
The game had the aura of a concert as the jungle section of the crowd erupted with every score, making it feel as though a Jay-Z and Kanye West “Watch the Thrown” performance was going on.
On the first play of the game, Damian Robinson took the handoff and rushed for 63 yards before being chased down at the five-yard line by a host of Jaguar defenders.
That play set up Dalton Livingston, who would score on a quarterback draw from the one yard line.
Robinson led the Tigers ground attack gaining 96 yards on eight carries.
In his final regular season game at RCC, Livingston completed 14 of 18 for 258 yards and added 3 touchdowns through the air and another on the ground playing only two full quarters.
Wide receiver Jon Greenwalt scored on a 63-yard pass from Livingston and finished with 100 receiving yards.
Sadale Foster added to his magnificent season with a game high 116 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns, the second of which was a play that needed a little improvisation to complete
“It was supposed to be a go route, but Sadale beat his man across the middle and the play ended up being a post route,” said Livingston. “We have the ability to do improvisation from working everyday in practice and we both saw the play develop.”
The starting team defense once again smothered the opposition, conceding only a field goal before the starters were pulled.
Linebacker Zaire Anderson led the Tigers with seven tackles and had a fumble recovery.
The defensive line was too much to handle for the Jaguar offense, recording three sacks and pressured quarterback Brett Nelson the entire night.
The victory culminated the dream season and made history, yet it was a bittersweet moment for the sophomore players who played in their final regular season game at RCC.
The Tigers are the first Riverside football team to go undefeated since Barry Meier’s coached team 20 years ago.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Livingston, “I’m proud of what we have accomplished and the legacy we will leave behind. We have made a lot of great relationships with players and coaches that will continue on for the rest of our life.”
Several Tigers including Dalton Livingston, Sadale Foster, linebackers Will Smith, Zaire Anderson and Rashad Rainey are among some of the players receiving offers from division one NCAA universities and their decision on where to play is anticipated by all Tiger fans.
The Tigers will put their 17-game win streak on the line, as they host the No. 3 ranked Saddleback College in the Golden State Bowl game on Nov.19 at Wheelock Stadium in the season finale.
“I’m going to get emotional after, we are a family and I’m going to embrace it and have fun doing it one last time with these guys,” commented Livingston.
The game will feature the two best offenses in Southern California and is sure to be a shootout.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for staff, children, seniors and students, the game starts at 6 p.m.
