The Raiders clashed with the Citrus Owls in the team’ first road game, and suffered their first loss.
Owl runningback Emmanuel Poolers was responsible for two total touchdowns on Saturday, accounting for 115 yards.
Citrus stadium was a scorching 94 degrees at kickoff, as the Raiders and Owls met for the coin flip.
MC won the toss and elected to receive. In the Owls opening drive, Moorpark forced a three-and-out and got the ball back two minutes later. In a surprise decision, the Raiders started freshman Zach LaBar at quarterback, last week LaBar was third on the Raiders’ depth chart. Labar had a rough start, as he was sacked for three straight plays, and MC was forced to punt.
On the second play of the drive, Owls quarterback Larry Cutbirth threw a 25 yard strike to the corner to receiver Charles Johnson, putting the first points on the board. Citrus up 7-0.
For the Raiders’ second drive, Labar was sent out again, only to be sacked a fourth straight time. Following the sack Moorpark ran the ball for two first downs, by running backs Josh Robles and Nate Gallard respectfully. Then on fourth and two, MC converted on an 8 yard slant by receiver Devin Cash. MC’s march was ended by a fumble by LaBar as the Owls recovered.
On third and 20, Cuttbirth hit his receiver on a rollout pass to the left, entering the red zone. Cutbirth then scored on an 8 yard option keeper, with 2:36 left in the first. Owls up 14-0
Moorpark ended the first quarter with three tipped passes, and yet another three-and out.
To start the 2nd quarter, Coach Thurston decided to try a different signal caller, and sophomore Max Leffler then captained the offense. Throughout the drive, Leffler and Labar exchanged downs as quarterback.
The quarterback controversy that plagued the Raiders’ preseason had resumed, as Coach Thurston explained his reasoning.
“It looked really unorthodox, I know,” said Thurston. “We gave every guy a shot; we’re not sure who our starter is.”
In an unfortunate turn of events, the Raiders dropped a punt and the ball rolled back over 18 yards, causing Moorpark to lose 56 yards before the drive began. Leffler managed to convert a 3rd and ten, but just as LaBar did, however he fumbled the ball as well.
Quarterback Cutbirth, executed a perfect screen pass to receiver Donavan Holmes, who broke three tackles and took the football 51 yards for the owls third unanswered touchdown. Citrus led 21-0.
Midway through the second quarter, Moorpark freshman defensive back Greg Morton, stripped an owl receiver of the ball and put Moorpark’s’ first points on the board, as the Raiders trailed 21-7.
Moorpark’s Chris Taylor kicked the ball off to Citrus as running back Emmanuel Poolers lined up for the return. Poolers caught the ball deep in the endzone, broke off to the left hash and returned the kick all the way to midfield, giving Citrus a short field. Cutberth proceeded to hand the ball off to Poolers, and replicated his return as he ran 33 yards for the Owls’ fourth touchdown. Propelling Citrus ahead, 27-7.
Completing the quarterback carousel, Coach Thurston decided to send out true freshman Nick Davis, the original starter, to start the second half. Davis seemed to give the Raiders’ newfound energy, after he completed three straight passes. The drive ended with a 36 yard field goal by kicker Chris Taylor, as Moorpark began to close the gap, 27-10.
In the fourth quarter, Moorpark’s’ defense stepped it up, as they held the Owls on two different goal line stands. The Raiders’ special team then blocked one of the field goals. But it was too little too late. Citrus place kicker Jaime Toscano scored the final points of the game, cementing the score, 30-10.
Despite all the offensive issues, Moorpark had seven more first downs than Citrus did.
“We had a horrible day offensively, but there were some bright spots,” explained Thurston. “Our defense looked great in the fourth.”
Quarterback Larry Cutberth finished the game 32 for 47 and 341 yards, with four total touchdowns. Moorpark’s’ three quarterbacks combined for 15 of 36 passes and 178 yards, with one interception.
“It stinks (the loss),” said Thurston. “But we have to look forward, Santa Ana is next.”
The Moorpark Raiders (1-1) travel to the Santa Ana Bowl Saturday, Sept. 21, to clash with the (1-1) Dons at 1 p.m.
