Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
REDLANDS, Calif. – The Whittier College football team saw their 2013 season come to a close Saturday afternoon as they dropped a lopsided decision 70-16 to the University of Redlands who with the win won their first SCIAC Championship since 2007 and their first undefeated season since 2002.
Redlands used big plays on the afternoon on both sides of the ball to hand the Poets their eighth loss on the season. The Bulldogs tallied 24 points in the first quarter on four touchdowns. Whittier quarterback Steven Rivera (El Monte, Calif.) after a lights out performance last week against Occidental struggled early with a fumble in his first series. Junior Trevor Phillips (La Habra, Calif.) stopped that early opportunity for the Bulldogs on their ensuing series in Poet territory after he intercepted a Kevin Russell pass on the six yard line.
But on the next series for the Purple & Gold, Rivera was picked off by DJ Dawson that again gave UR great field position. Then on their first play from scrimmage, Russell found Taylor Irwin in the end zone from 25 yards out that put the first points on the board. From there, Redlands poured it on getting a 53 yard touchdown run by Bobby Brown, which was followed by a punt block by Curran Fudge and run in by Steven Best, and then the quarter was capped off with a Brown rush of 65 yards that put the Bulldogs up 24-0 after one quarter of play.
Redlands added to their lead in the second quarter but this time with 28 points to go into the half up 56-0. During this stretch they had Curtis Tanquary run in a touchdown along with Brown, UR also had a 21 yard fumble recovery by defensive back Jessie Hobbs III and they wrapped up the quarter with a 22 yard touchdown catch by Sam Angelo.
Opening up the third quarter, Whittier gained some momentum with Mundo Guzman (Covina, Calif.) forcing a fumble of Mitch Samson after sacking him for a five yard loss. The ensuing fumble was picked up by senior Nathan Poole (San Diego, Calif.) who ran it back to the house 67 yards for his first career touchdown that put the first points on the board for the Purple & Gold.
Redlands responded however in eight plays going 65 yards when Alex Bridgford found Tyler Bassler from 20 yards out. Whittier had another drive stalled deep in Redlands territory. They drove 78 yards in 10 plays, which included pass completions of 17 and 24 yards to Makale Ruiz-McCobb (Pomona, Calif.) and Diante Jackson (Oakland, Calif.) but on a 2nd and Goal opportunity, Whittier's Anthony Walker (San Diego, Calif.) fumbled on the one yard line, which was recovered by Michael Tootle.
On the ensuing series for Redlands, Whittier for the second time came away with another turnover but this time from Billy Thomas (Bellflower, Calif.) who intercepted a Bridgford pass, which ended in Rivera finding Jackson in the end zone from 33 yards out.
Opening up the fourth quarter Redlands added another score with Samson finding Will King from 10 yards out but this would be the final points put up for the game as Whittier's two drives in Redlands territory would be stalled allowing Redlands to come away with the victory.
Whittier for the game only combined for 372 yards of total offense (263 Passing/109 Rushing). Rivera was 8-19 for 185 yards and a touchdown. Walker on the ground once again hit the 100 yard plateau rushing 23 times with a long of 49.
Jackson, hauled in seven receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown averaging 23.9 yards a catch with a long being of 42.
Phillips led the defensive unit with nine tackles (3 Solo, 6 Assisted) to go with a tackle for a loss and an interception. Poole also had nine tackles (4 Solo, 5 Assisted) with three being for losses and had a fumble recovery and touchdown. Diego Villasenor (Linda, Calif.) totaled eight tackles (3 Solo, 5 Assisted) and had a forced fumble and a breakup, while James Bettencourt (Downey, Calif.) had seven tackles (2 Solo, 5 Assisted).
Whittier finishes the season 1-8 after going 4-5 a year ago, they graduate 12 seniors but Head Coach Todd Stratton and the rest of the Coaching Staff are very optimistic about next season and what lies ahead for the Poet football program.
