Everybody contributed to Reedley College's 23-13 come-from-behind non-conference victory over Santa Rosa Junior College on Saturday afternoon at Orange Cove's Titan Stadium.
The 3-2 Tigers broke a modest two-game losing streak with the victory on Homecoming. Instead of crowning a King and Queen, the school had a series of competitions during the week. The Student Athletes Advisory Club took first place honors.
After a Bear Cub touchdown early in the second quarter made it 7-3, the Tigers ran off 20 straight points to take a 23-7 lead. Andre Lopez-Green got things started with just under three minutes left in the first half by returning an intercepted SRJC pass and returning it 50 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Santa Rosa blocked the extra point try. The With seven seconds left in the half, quarterback Josh Magana found Antwan Ficklen for a 50-yard touchdown. Hunter Pittman's extra point kick made it 16-7.
A Nijah Richards' fumble recovery set up a 47-yard, seven-play drive culminated by a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback DJ Stevenson with 3:48 left in the third quarter.
Santa Rosa scored the game's final touchdown early in the fourth quarter and threatened to score in the final seconds.
The Tigers outgained the Bear Cubs 342-317 with Magana passing for 250 yards. Shamar Hawkins led the defense with eight tackles.
Reedley, ranked 22nd in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau, has a bye this Saturday before opening conference play on Oct. 15 against the Contra Costa Comets in Orange Cove at 1 p.m.
Santa Rosa, who had a two-game winning streak snapped, fell to 2-3.
It was a good effort against a good football team, according to Tiger head coach Rob Hartenfels. Every game Santa Rosa has played this season has been close and tough.
'We knew it was going to be a tough physical game. To come in and score on defense and do a lot better field position-wise wasn't good but it was a lot better than last week," said the coach.
Reedley did not score any points but kept the ball for over 11 minutes in the fourth quarter, not allowing Santa Rosa to regain possession until there were only 50 seconds left in the game.
This Saturday's bye will give the Tigers a mental break, said the coach.
Freshman safety Andre Lopez-Green had a big game in his first start, recording the interception and return for a touchdown. The coach also praised linebacker Noah Hunter and punter Hunter Pittman. Quarterback Josh Magana executed the offense well.
By: Will Goldbeck
