The Raiders needed a big win at home and they got it.

Starting off the season 0-2 wasn’t in any of the Raider’s coaches, players, or fans minds but the only thing anyone could do was come out week 3 and try to turn things around. After frustrating losses to Long Beach and Chaffey, the Raiders looked to avoid going 0-3 to start the season against Orange Coast. The game was at Griffin Stadium so the Raiders had the home-field advantage on their side.

As the Raiders ran onto the field, you could feel as if this was their game. They started by running through the Orange Coasts’ cheerleaders line inspiring confidence in themselves.

On their first drive the Raiders tried a fake punt play on fourth down and were successful only to throw an interception and fumble in consecutive series. Yet things started to go Moorpark’s way when quarter-back Zach LaBar rushed the ball into the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown to give the Raiders a 6-0 lead after the extra point was blocked.

In the first few minutes of the second quarter, Orange Coast would answer on a touchdown pass giving them a 7-6 advantage over the Raiders. The Raiders would provide an answer of their own when wide-reciever Jalin Burrell rushed for a 2-yard touchdown giving the Raiders the lead back. A few plays later after a Moorpark fumble recovery, the Raiders would score again but this time through the air. Quarter-back Zach LaBar connected with wide-reiever Keiwuan Miller for a 10-yard touchdown pass giving the Raiders a 19-7 lead. The two teams would trade touchdown drives including another touchdown pass from LaBar this time to wide-reicever Cody Tuttle to give Moorpark a 26-14 lead at halftime.

“The offense was able to generate more plays in the first half tonight,” said running backs and tight ends coach Michael Puopolo. “We ran 25 last week and 65 this week, it was about a matter of tempo for us.”

Coming out of the half, the Raiders seemed optimistic to get their first win and knew they would need to keep their foot on the gas pedal in order to do so.

Orange Coast kept the game close by adding a score midway through the third quarter, but Moorpark answered them again with a score of their own this time by means of running-back Raekeal Beasley rushing for a 17-yard touchdown run giving the Raiders a 32-21 lead after a failed two-point conversion. Orange Coast added a field goal to get some points on the board but like they did all night, Moorpark answered the score again. Nick Loftin ran into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown run extending the Moorpark lead to 39-24 with just over 11 minutes remaining.

Moorpark recovered a fumble but were unable to break the plain of the end zone and were forced to turn it over on downs after a missed field goal attempt. Orange Coast drove down the field to score a touchdown to make things interesting for the Raiders at 39-31. Orange Coast attempted an onside kick in order to get the ball back but the Raiders snuffed it out and held strong. Unfortunately the offense couldn’t hold the ball and turned it over on down, giving Orange Coast one more chance to tie things up. When the Raiders needed their defense the most, they stepped up and stopped Orange Coast in order to seal the victory.

The final score would show as Moorpark winning 39-31. Quaterback Zach LaBar finished 29-37, throwing for 303 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a touchdown. Wide-reciehver Cody Tuttle finished the game with 14 catches, 195 yards and a touchdown. Running-back Raekeal Beasley ended up with 145 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.

“Tonight we just executed and came out with a different mindset,” said quarterback Zach LaBar. “We left points on the board and we know that but for the most part we executed and got the win.”

Overall both the offense and defense for the Raiders played well and sealed a huge win as the team enters its bye week.

“We played as a team,” said safety Jordan Francis. “We trusted both the offense and defense to do their jobs and when we do that, we get the win like tonight.”

The Raiders (1-2), enter their bye week fresh off a much needed win. They will look to rest on the bye, and improve on this win. Their next game will match them up against rival Ventura College on Saturday Oct. 4th in Ventura at 6 p.m.