Photos by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – Four interceptions and two fumble recoveries would propel the Whittier College Football Team to the 36-17 victory over the Leopards of the University of La Verne Saturday as they earned their first victory on Homecoming since 2006. 

With the win the Poets improve to 2-3, 1-2 SCIAC and earn their first victory over the Leopards since 2009 when they won 34-21 on the road. 

Capping off three days of Homecoming Festivities, which included Midnight Madness, Purple & Gold Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Homecoming Festival, and Parade of Poet Athletes the football team wowed the crowd collecting 451 yards of total offense (201 Passing/250 Rushing) and totaling a season high 36 points.

"This was a great win for our program," explained Head coach Todd Stratton.  "I am very proud of our kids.  Our defense, offense, and special teams all played well tonight and our coaching staff did a great job all week preparing them."

"We have been close every game this season, we needed to finish a game and the guys did a great job of closing out La Verne in the second half."  

La Verne would get on the scoreboard with 6:47 to play in the first quarter following an 8-play 51-yard drive capped off with a 14 yard touchdown pass from William Livingston to Alex Villalobos.

But then the Leopard offensive unit would become sloppy turning the ball over on three of their next five possessions, which included an interception from Josh Pride (Oakland, Calif.) and recovered fumbles by Nathan Blaikie (Whittier, Calif.) and Christopher Torres (Chino, Calif.).      

Freshman Eric Voss (Temecula, Calif.) would make the Leos pay coming up big for the Purple & Gold knocking down four consecutive field goals of 25, 21, 44, and 27 yards that spanned into the third quarter giving the Poets a 12-7 lead.

Following a 41-yard field goal from August Buoncuore that pulled the Leopards within two 12-10, Whittier's offense came alive led by Marcell Blow (Lompoc, Calif.) who broke free for a career long 74-yard run through the middle on the second play from scrimmage, which led to 17 unanswered by the Purple & Gold giving them total control of the game. 

Sophomore transfer Brandon Pickens (Gilroy, Calif.) got the call in relief of Steven Rivera (El Monte, Calif.) and made a statement in his first appearance as a Poet finding tight end Benton Bray (Kingsburg, Calif.) at the goal line from 12 yards out capping off a 4-play 80-yard drive behind a big 28 yard reception from Justin Vlahos (Bakersfield, Calif.) and a 36 yard run from Erek Brown (San Dimas, Calif.).

On the Leopards next two possessions they would fall upon unfortunate times again as Livingston would force the issue being picked off by Pride and then Billy Thomas (Bellflower, Calif.) deep in La Verne territory, which led to a three yard run by Blow, his second on the day that moved the score to 33-10. 

Masson Blow (Sacramento, Calif.) would then get into the mix on La Verne's next possession when he picked off Livingston running it back 37 yards setting up a 33 yard field goal from Voss.  This was his fifth on the evening giving him a career high in made field goals in a single game making history as the first Poet kicker to earn this recognition in the modern era.

La Verne would get on the scoreboard once more when Justin Gomez found Russell Boucher in the corner of the endzone but it would be a little to late as the Poets would hold on for the Homecoming victory.

Pickens would finish 12-21 for 128 yards and a touchdown.  Blow would rush 20 times for 162 yards and two scores averaging 8.1 yards per rush and Vlahos would lead the receiving core with five catches for 65 yards. 

Not to be overlooked was Brown who rushed six times collecting 66 yards averaging 11.0 yards per carry and Bryson Sanders (Manteca, Calif.) who had his breakout game of the season making big catches when the Poets needed him finishing with seven catches for 48 yards.

Defensively, Diego Villasenor (Linda, Calif.) was all over the place collecting a career high 14 tackles (7 solo; 7 assisted) and a breakup.  Tyquion Ballard (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Trevor Phillips (La Habra, Calif.)  had six tackles apiece, while Kevin Tapia (Pasadena, Calif.) recorded the lone sack, had two tackles for losses and forced a fumble.

To give credit where credit is due, the offensive line had their breakout performance together allowing the Poets to collect the season high 451 yards of total offense.  The line, which includes Mark Kozhaya (Downey, Calif.), Tyler Howes (Queen Creek, AZ), Zach Howes (Phoenix, AZ), Joshua Enrico (Norwalk, Calif.) and Franklin Littaua (Los Angeles, Calif.) controlled the line and are now peaking at the right time as the Poets turn their sites on Pomona-Pitzer on the road this Saturday, October 25 beginning at 7:00pm.