Despite the cloud cover, Griffin Stadium, home of the Moorpark Raiders, was ready to host the 2023 Homecoming game. However, the sun emerged slowly and made great weather for a great game.
On Sept. 30, 2023, the Moorpark Raiders football team hosted the Allan Hancock Bulldogs in a 2022 Strawberry Bowl rematch. The Strawberry Bowl is the championship game for Moorpark College, and the Bulldogs defeated the Raiders in a tight game last November. The energy for this rematch was sure to be through the roof.
On this cool fall day, the Raiders were looking to bounce back from a tough road loss at El Camino College the previous week, while the Bulldogs looked to end a three-game losing streak. Both teams looked to get some positive momentum for the season, but only one would emerge victorious.
Despite the high-stakes game for the players and coaches, the Friday night game also served as the 2023 Homecoming game for Moorpark College. Fans were electric throughout the stadium as alumni, family and friends gathered to support Moorpark College Athletics.
Athletic Director Matt Crater spoke about the planning for Moorpark College athletic games, including those as big as the Homecoming football game.
“That’s just the nature of the job, you have to be able to switch hats on a minute-by-minute basis,” Crater said. “Obviously, we plan earlier in the year and a lot of what we plan in the summer is now getting to be shown.”
The game began at 4 p.m. and despite a light mist throughout the morning hours, the weather cleared up just in time for the coin toss, which Moorpark College President Julius Sokenu presented.
The first quarter of the game was a defensive showcase, as neither team could get any score on the board. Despite major yard drives from each team, neither would emerge victorious in first-quarter scoring.
The same can also be said for the second quarter of the game. The Moorpark College defensive line put on a showing as the Bulldogs threatened the endzone. All the Bulldogs could put up in the second quarter was a field goal, courtesy of Bulldogs kicker Arath Acosta. The score was now 3-0 heading into the third quarter.
Sophomore wide receiver Noah Cronquist spoke about the impressive defense of the Raider football team and how that kept the scoring so tight.
“Hats off to the defense, they really balled out,” Cronquist said. “Our defense really did a great job today. They filled the holes and were able to hold this really great team.”
Cronquist also spoke about Moorpark College and what it meant to him as he did not attend Moorpark College for his first year.
“I’m a Moorpark kid, so I love being back at home. This coaching staff and the boys I get to play with is what makes it worthwhile.”
The beginning of the third quarter was uneventful until Allan Hancock put a 59-yard run together. Quarterback Jackson Clavel threw an 8-yard pass to tight end Alex Sutton, and that was enough for a touchdown. Kicker Acosta kicked a field goal to bring the score to 10-0.
Following some back-and-forth defensive highlights, the Raider offensive line could not get the ball to the endzone. This led to a 27-yard field goal performed by sophomore kicker Daniel Burke. The score was now 10-3 going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter began, and Allan Hancock immediately started their scoring run with a five-play, 55-yard drive from the Bulldog’s offense. Running back Caden Harris completed the drive, and Allan Hancock increased their lead to 17-3.
However, the Raiders would not give up without a final fight. Sophomore quarterback Macloud Crowton completed a 72-yard pass to wide receiver Cronquist in an offensive highlight that got the crowd on their feet. With over five minutes left to play, the Raiders brought the score to 17-10.
Head Coach Mike Stuart discussed this offensive highlight while also discussing what needed to be done to secure more points.
“Shoutout to Cronquist for his great play, we have just had some struggles protecting the quarterback so we have had to move guys and add composition,” Stuart said. “We just can’t start to settle, and we need points to win those games.”
Unfortunately, the team could not pull out more plays, and the final score was 17-10. Emotions ran incredibly high as the Raiders dropped the game, leaving their record at 2-3.
Cronquist spoke about how this game will motivate them into the following games and how having the next week off will benefit the team.
“We just have to keep our heads up, it’s a tough conference but we’re a good football team,” Cronquist spoke. “We’re going to get better throughout the season, but it will be nice to have a little break. We will move on to Ventura and hopefully, our offense will click and we will be able to put on a show against them.”
Head Coach Stuart spoke about his team’s passion and drive and how it can help him and his coaching staff.
“Passion makes a difference and makes a team easier to coach,” Stuart said. Football season is a daily grind mentally and physically so it makes it easier to know that players want to work. It also makes it easier to come back from a loss so we will use this bye week to our advantage.”
The Moorpark College Raiders football team will have a week off and then take on the Ventura Pirates in the cross-county rival game on Oct. 12, 2023, in Griffin Stadium.
For more information on the Moorpark College Football team, click here.
