On Saturday, Oct. 28, Griffin Stadium hosted a gritty display of college football, seeing the Moorpark College Raiders take on the College of the Canyons Cougars. Though a close game to the bitter end, the Cougars eventually edged out the Raiders, winning 35-30.
Following a string of tough losses, athletic director Matt Crater spoke on the nature of the team despite frustrating circumstances.
“This is our fourth loss that we’ve been within one possession and I think it just shows you that they compete,” Crater said.
The first quarter started strong for the Raiders, with sophomore quarterback Macloud Crowton making some crucial passes that garnered three first downs for the Raiders after just two minutes had elapsed. However, their push toward the end zone would be cut short when Cougars defensive back Andre Bray picked off an errant pass.
After a long and tenuous drive by the Cougars, they would eventually score a touchdown with a good kick, putting the Raiders in a seven-point deficit.
Moorpark’s drive fell short, which allowed Canyons to score another touchdown and kick to increase their lead over Moorpark to 14. The score was 14-0, with the Raiders still not on the board.
Sophomore defensive end Quentin Pooler discussed one of the most significant issues the Raiders face in-game.
“The main thing we have to focus on now is penalties, try to take away penalties as much as we can,” Pooler said.
The Raiders had eight penalties levied against them throughout the game, which proved detrimental.
As the first quarter drew to a close, the Raiders began their final drive. With haste, the offense secured two first downs. Crowton subsequently lasered a pass to sophomore wide receiver River Stout, scoring the Raiders’ first touchdown of the ballgame.
The beginning of the second quarter saw an arduous drive from the Raiders, leading to a touchdown. Sophomore kicker Daniel Burke showed his excellence with another made kick for the extra point to bring the score to 14-7.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, this momentum did not carry through onto the defensive side. The Cougars slowly made their way from their 25-yard line to the Raiders’ 3-yard line shortly before scoring another touchdown and kick.
A short-lived Raiders drive and another long Cougars drive result in the same outcome, another Cougar touchdown. The score at the half sat at 28-14 in favor of College of the Canyons.
A testament to both teams’ toughness and determination on defense, neither team scored a touchdown in the third quarter.
In a last-ditch effort to catch up for a chance to win, four first downs and a 3-yard rush from sophomore running back Gabriel Landless led to another Raider touchdown.
A ruthless back-and-forth between the two teams lasted through the entire fourth quarter. Both teams scored another touchdown, but the Cougars managed to hold onto their lead until the clock ticked its final seconds.
Burke has had consistent production all season for the Raiders. Thus far, he holds a perfect 24 for 24 in points after a touchdown.
“I think we left everything out on the field today,” said Burke about the team. “These next two games we just gotta come back and win.”
With only two games left in the season, the Raiders are looking to finish strong on the road and bring their away record to 3-2.
The Moorpark Raiders will play their final game of the season on Nov. 11, 2023, against Antelope Valley College at Brent Carder Marauder Stadium.
Click here for the full Raiders schedule and more information.
