Despite being tied for most of the game, the Moorpark College Raiders were unable to pull out a victory, and remained winless, losing 31-17 to the College of the Canyons Cougars.

The game started with a bang for the Raiders (0-5) as they were able to return the opening kick all the way inside the Cougars 20 yard line. Though they were able to begin the drive with a great field position, the Raiders were unable to capitalize on this golden opportunity as they settled for a field goal.

On their first defensive series the Raiders were unable to defend against the Cougars’ passing game, but were able to force the Cougars to settle for a field goal, tying the game at 3.

The next offensive possession for the Raiders once again started off with great field goal position, thanks to a great return by Jonathan Mesa. The series appeared to be on the cusp of ending several times, yet the Raiders would seem to find a way to keep it going.

Whether it was quarterback Ian Shultis throwing a beautiful pass to Andre Garcia or converting a key fourth down on a run from Jarell Holland, it looked as though this drive was destined to end in a score. A quarterback sneak for a touchdown gave the Raiders their first lead of the game, 10-3.

The Raiders had an opportunity to break the game wide open after stopping the Cougars on fourth down, but this did not become a reality, as Shultis threw an interception which led to a Cougar touchdown, tying the game up at 10.

Despite a few unsuccessful drives by the Raider offense the defense kept its head up as it continued to stifle the Cougar offense. A field goal block kept the game tied, and the game remained 10-10 at halftime.

The Cougars would hurt the Raiders early in the second half, scoring a touchdown within minutes to take a 17-10 lead.

The momentum shifted late in the third quarter when Shultis threw his third interception of the game, giving the Cougars great field position, and the Cougars took advantage by scoring a touchdown almost immediately after to take a two touchdown lead.

To make matters worse, the Raiders saw a few promising plays on the ground go sour when Holland put the ball on the turf, giving it right back to the Cougars.

The momentum was seemingly residing completely on the Cougar sideline when the Raiders attempted to close in on the 14-point deficit.

In the fourth quarter, the Raiders marched down the field and put up their third score of the game on a touchdown pass from Shultis to Chris Gant, making it a one possession game.

The run was too little too late, however, and another Cougar score made it out of reach at 31-17.

Raider wide receiver Jonathan Mesa believed the team could have played harder.
“[We] just didn’t come out hard enough,” Mesa said.