Despite a disappointing week 1 loss at the hands of Long Beach, the Raiders seemed optimistic to get into the win column for the first time this season against a ranked opponent in Chaffey College. Griffin Stadium was ready to host their home town Raiders and hopefully get a win.

Moorpark received the ball to start the game but came up short on its opening drive despite a 41-yard pass play that got the Raiders into Chaffey territory. The two teams traded empty possessions until Chaffey finally got the scoring going with a 18-yard touchdown pass.

Heading into the second quarter down 7-0, the Raiders needed a big play to happen and got one when Chaffey running-back Robert Hampton fumbled in Moorpark’s red zone only to be recovered by the Raiders. Two plays later Moorpark quarterback Zach LaBar connected with wide-receiver Jalin Burrell for a 94 yard touchdown to tie the game. The drive would be recorded as a two play, 93 yard drive.

“Our offense played well in the first half,” said Burrell. ” We just needed to tighten up some things in the second half to really do well.”

Line-backer James Allen added to the takeaways with an interception in the second, but Chaffey would add a late field goal at the end of the quarter to give them a 10-7 lead at halftime.

Coming out of halftime to only be trailing by three to a ranked opponent, the Raiders seemed cautiously optimistic about their chances in the game. Yet the optimism would soon fade as only 30 seconds into the third quarter, Chaffey added to their lead with a touchdown.

Moorpark would respond to the touchdown themselves later in the quarter with a 21-yard touchdown pass to running-back Dontrae Butler. Early in the fourth quarter, Moorpark would rally and score a touchdown. Quarterback Nick Davis rushed into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown run to take a 20-19 lead but after that score it was all Chaffey doing the scoring as they scored 15 unanswered points.

The final score would read as Moorpark losing to Chaffey 34-20. The Raiders fought hard against a very tough team but ultimately came up a little short. They battled it out in the trenches with a ranked team and it showed just the kind of heart and desire this team has.

Quarterback Zach LaBar finished with 147 yards, went 8-11 passing the ball with one touchdown. Quarterback Nick Davis finished the game with 244 yards, going 22-33 passing, and two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing. And wide-rechiever Jalin Burrell finished the game with five catches for 125 yards and one touchdown and was the star of the 94 yard touchdown pass reception in the first half.

“Come out next week to Orange Coast,” said Burrell, “The offense will be explosive, and the defense will light it up. It will be a good time.”

Despite dropping their first two games of the season, the Raiders remain hopeful that they can get into the win column in their next game as they take on Orange Coast on Saturday, Sep. 20 back in Griffin Stadium at 6 p.m.