Moorpark College lost 48-25 on Saturday against non-conference opponent Chaffey College in their first away game this season.
The Raiders achieved more first downs and was on offense longer than Chaffey. However, Chaffey was able to pound the ball on the ground. The team as a whole gained 313 yards on 28 rushing plays. Their biggest of the night came in the second quarter when Chaffey running back Quincey Ross scored a touchdown on a 75 yard run.
Moorpark’s Athletic Director Howard Davis said starting 0-2 is not ideal, but he knows it is still a long season.
“We’ve lost to two quality teams,” said Davis. “Our team just needs to stay focused on improving.”
Chaffey got off to a hot start in the first half by scoring a little under five minutes into the first quarter. Chaffey quarterback Levi Plante completed a 15 yard pass to receiver Marquis Wimberly for a touchdown. Chaffey went up 7-0.
With 3:46 left in the first quarter, Plante threw another touchdown pass again to Wimberly to put Chaffey up 14-0 in the first quarter.
The Raiders only points of the first half came in the second quarter when kicker Brendon Hodgson made a 38 yard field goal. They went into halftime down 21-3.
Chaffey running back Quincey Ross ended the second quarter with a big touchdown run. Ross then started the second half with a 49 yard touchdown run making it 28-3 early in the third quarter.
Moorpark’s offense finally got going when Christian Hammack completed a 19 yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Osuchukwu with 9:44 left in the third.
Chaffey answered right back with a touchdown run by their quarterback Plante, making it 35-10 Chaffey lead.
Moorpark’s answer would come with 2:58 left in the game when Ethan Shahrokhfar caught a 34 yard touchdown pass from Hammack to cut the lead to 35-17.
Moorpark’s final score came in the fourth quarter when Hammack found Aaron Lacombe on a nine yard pass for the Raiders final touchdown. The Raiders then went for a successful two point conversion. This made it 41-25, but did little to change the outcome.
Chaffey then scored one more time to make the final score 48-25.
Despite the loss, the Raiders’ had some bright spots on offense according to Howard Davis.
“Freshman quarterback Christian Hammack played well,” said Davis. “Running back Isiah Johnson had a breakout game with 153 yards on 20 carries.”
Hammack made his first career collegiate start on Saturday. He went 17 of 32 passing for 199 yards and three touchdowns in his debut.
With a good week in practice, Davis believes that the Raiders will be able to put together a winning game.
“We have made too many errors so far,” said Davis. “We need to eliminate those mistakes that are keeping us from winning right now.”
The Raiders will look to get a much needed win against Orange Coast College on the road at 6 p.m. this Saturday, Sept 19. Their next home game will be on Oct. 2 against rival Ventura College.
Raider fans can watch the away game against Orange Coast and all the rest of the away games this season online by going to www.moorparkcollegeathletics.com and clicking on “live stream.” It is free to watch in standard definition or for a small fee fans can watch in HD.
