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Alexandra Ortiz | Assistant Sports Editor
September 15, 2014
The RCC Tigers open their season with a victory against the Bakersfield Renegades 51-3 on Sept. 6.
No. 3 in the nation, RCC Tigers came roaring into Wheelock Stadium to face No. 20, the Bakersfield Renegades.
The Tigers, who lost the championship to No. 2 Fullerton last season, worked all summer long to redeem themselves and make the championship game once again.
After Skyler Howard transferred to West Virginia last season, the Tigers found a new leader in Kelly Hilinski, newly transferred out of Columbia University.
Hilinski, a 6 foot 7, 237 lbs quarterback, quickly found a place on Coach Craft’s roster.
“I got here in June and since then we’ve been going 110 percent everyday, and it’s great to see a team click like that so early,” Hilinski said.
RCC got off to a slow start against the Renegades, a team they hadn’t faced since 1954. After the third play, the Tigers were able to regain their composure.
Alejandro Marenco put the Tigers on the board when his 50-yard punt gave RCC its first touchdown against the Renegades since 1939. Camacho’s kick was up and good to take a 7-0 lead.
Before the first quarter was over the Tigers struck the Renegades defense one more time, when Mikey Stallone scored on a 6-yard pass from Hilinski.
RCC headed into the second quarter with a 14-0 lead. After Bakersfield scored a 31-yard field goal, it was all RCC from then on. Tigers made another touchdown and even got a team safety in before halftime.
In the second half of the game the Tigers dominated and went on to score 37 unanswered points taking the first victory of the season.
Tigers will hit the road to face the Saddleback Gauchos on Sept. 13.
“I know Saddleback is going to give us a challenge and we really gotta come out and put in the work during practice and improve on our mistakes,” Hilinski said.
