Updated: Nov. 10 - Written by Laura Tapia

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Updated

The Riverside City College football team dominated Chaffey College, 41-7, giving the team its worst loss of the season Nov. 7, the Tigers’ must win centennial homecoming game.

The Tigers are tied up with Mt. San Antonio (Mt. SAC) and Long Beach City College (LBCC) in the National Central League. Losing this game was not an option for RCC as only the top seed of the league goes on to playoffs.

Head coach Tom Craft spoke of the game’s significance coming off a big win versus No. 1 LBCC, who was undefeated prior to facing the Tigers.

“When you have a big crowd like this, there’s a lot of people that probably didn’t get to see that game last week,” Craft said. “We really wanted to play well tonight, this could be our last (home) game of the season. We don’t know that, but it could’ve been so we wanted to finish well.”

Although the football team ended the night’s centennial celebration, it led from the start against the Panthers.

Running back Seth Acda led the team with two touchdowns, including the Tigers’ first touchdown of the night, and 131 rushing yards.

Despite the team being banged up in the running game, Acda spoke about his performance during the game and his value of his position on the team.

“It’s an honor to be the starting running back for RCC,” he said. “It took a lot of hard work. I needed to step it up as a freshman because we have so many injuries. I just had to step it up.”

The Tigers defensive presence was also key in their win versus Chaffey.

Wide receiver Sebastian La Rue had an huge 80-yard punt return in the second quarter that extended RCC’s lead to 13.

La Rue acknowledge the feat and thanked his teammates for giving him the chance to make the play.

“It was pretty far and exciting, (but) I had a lot of key blocks,” he said. “KJ Young he came and sold out, (along with Quentin) Galloway he came all the way across the field. I just really thank my blocking. They gave me a lane, gave me an opportunity and I just took advantage of it.”

The Tigers ended the  first half with a 20-0 lead and continued their hot streak when Tareke Lewis came out and intercepted a Panthers’ play within the first minutes of the second half.

The Tigers forced four interceptions including two from Tareke Lewis and two from Isaiah Armstrong.

La Rue spoke about the team’s defensive performance after the game.

“We were unbelievable, really wish we could of kept a shutout,” he said. “We had some mishaps at the end that we have to correct but … we had a pretty lights out game. We made plays, we made turnovers and gave our offense a lot of chances to get into the end zone.”

Quarterback Ian Fieber stayed hot throughout the game throwing for three touchdowns, 278 yards and 21 completions , while Young led with 112 receiving yards.

“I started off slow, but I got it going and it showed,” Fieber said of his performance. “We got the offense clicking and like I said the defense helped out tremendously so I felt pretty good.”

Not only did the Tigers total 224 rushing yards and 242 punting yards they also prevented Chaffey’s duo of quarterback Levi Plante and wide receiver Marquis Wimberly from scoring a touchdown for the first time this season. 

Fieber stated that although there were no special sentiments coming into this game the team continues to have the same work ethic needed to make it to the postseason.

“Same emotions every week, he said. “(We) just keep working hard, keep winning we (have) to win to stay alive so that’s our goal.”

The team is still scheduled to face Citrus College on Nov. 14. With both Mt. SAC and LBCC defeating Citrus by at least 10 points, the Tigers can’t afford their third loss away from home if they are to move onto the postseason.

Craft stated that if there is a three way tie in the league, the second tie breaker will come down to who the highest non-ranked conference teams have defeated.