Hosted by their conference opponent Cougars, the Raiders played their final road game Saturday.
Travis Key, Max Leffler, Nick Davis and Cesar Fermin marched hand-in-hand for the coin toss. Canyons won the toss and elected to receive.
During the opening drive, the Raiders’ defense held the Cougars to a three-and-out. Canyons’ first drive totaled a mere thirty seconds.
On the third play from scrimmage, Raider quarterback Nick Davis, committed his first mistake and overthrew receiver Ray Bolden, resulting in an interception.
Cougar running back David Bowen broke off two consecutive sprints to the outside, totaling 56 yards. On the next play, Bowen capped off the drive with a one yard burst up the middle and put the first points on the board. Canyons led the Raiders 7-0.
With 9:00 left in the first quarter, Raider wide out Lucas Civita caught a lob from Davis and converted on 3rd and 12. The next play Davis found Bolden down the opposite sideline for a 32 yard gain. Kicker Chris Taylor ended the march downfield with a successful field goal attempt, and shortened the Cougar lead, 7-3.
Midway through the second quarter, the Raider defense gave up a 55 yard run to Cougar Bowen, but linebacker Travis Key forced him out at the 5. Key then caused a fumble after knocking the ball out of Bowen’s arms. The Raider defense recovered the ball on the 3.
Moorpark continued to air the ball out, until Davis lost the handle on a throw, and threw his second interception of the night on the 25 yard line. The Raiders prevented a Cougar score, and took a knee to run out the clock leading into halftime.
Raider quarterback Nick Davis struggled early in the game, and admitted letting the turnovers get to his head.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about the picks,” Davis said. “I let it get to my head, and I dwelled on it, and kept making mistakes.”
Davis started the second half strong after breaking off a 12 yard scamper, then completing a 40 yard laser to Bolden. From 4 yards out, running back Josh Robles crashed into the end zone and took the lead, 10-7.
The Raider lead lasted a total of 58 seconds before Cougar running back Louis Gipson made a 61 yard reception and took it to the house, regaining the lead 14-10.
After the Cougar score, the Raider’s continued to struggle. Davis threw four interceptions in four consecutive drives.
With 11:32 left in the game, Moorpark showed signs of life when Davis lobbed the ball to Bolden for a 30 yard catch downfield, and was ruled down on the 1. On the next play, Robles leaped over the center, and scored Moorpark’s final points.
Canyons would score three more times on the Raider defense, and the game ended with the final score of 35-17.
Raider quarterback Nick Davis ended the day with 6 total interceptions, which was as many as Nick had thrown all season.
Despite the loss, Head Coach Will Thurston offered encouraging words for the Raider performance.
“This loss was extremely tough, for sure,” Thurston said. “But the guys tried to come back. That’s all you could ask for.”
Aa a result of the loss, Moorpark fell to under .500, dashing any hope of being in a bowl game. The Raiders have a bye week before their final game of the season at home.
“Our goal is to end with a win, and finish the year on a positive note. These guys deserve it.” Thurston said.
Moorpark will face second place Cerritos College in the final game of the year, Saturday, Nov. 16, at 6 P.M. in Griffin Stadium.
