Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Football team won their second game in a row Saturday as they rolled past Lewis-Clark Valley State 47-12 at Memorial Stadium. 

The Purple & Gold totaled 468 yards of offense (301 Passing/167 Rushing).  They added 20 first downs and were 20-for-26 on passing efficiency averaging 11.6 yards per pass play.

Head Coach Mike Neale mentioned that: "Our preparation is something we take great pride in.   One of our game day goals is to be the best-prepared team on the field.  Regardless of who our opponent is we are going to relentlessly prepare each week."  

Whittier got off to a strong start on the defensive side of the ball with Zurie Clark (Upland, Calif.) picking off Leo Gomez.  The Poets then capitalized in just two plays after that with Miguel Avina (Indio, Calif.) finding Hakim Williams Jr. (Riverside, Calif.) down the sideline for a 36-yard hook-up and Alex Retana (Whittier, Calif.) rushing it in from four-yards out putting WC on top 7-0.

Another three and out by the Loggers gave the ball back to the Poets who tacked on another seven points this time on three plays.  Avina found Moises Gonzalez (Long Beach, Calif.) for six yards and then Williams Jr. rushed for another five.  The big play was Avina connecting with Jacob Mateko (Moorpark, Calif.) down the seam for a 45-yard score pushing the score to 14-0 with 10:19 to play in the opening frame.

L-C was able to pull together a drive on there next possession going 69-yards in 13-plays that was capped off with Gomez finding Kobe Sherman from 12-yards out.  In the second quarter Whittier pulled away with 21 unanswered.  Avina got the scoring started finding Aaron Golmitz (Placerville, Calif.) for a ten yard score, which ended a 7-play 66-yard drive.  The Purple & Gold then capitalized on a short punt by L-C needing just 36-yards to stretch the advantage.  Retana rushed three times totaling 26 yards, which included a 4-yard score.

The final tally in the frame was from fullback David Irwin (South San Francisco, Calif.) scoring from a yard out.  He ended a series that was led by sophomore Daniel Garlick (Lodi, Calif.) who put together an 11-play, 93-yard drive that covered 5:53.  He was a perfect 4-for-4 on the drive and had a long pass of 20 to Sean Aldana (Los Angeles, Calif.).  Junior Tyrus Douglas (Norwalk, Calif.) got the defense going out of the break picking off Gomez at the 50-yard line and WC wasted very little time again scoring in just three plays with Joshua Shields (San Diego, Calif.) finding the endzone from ten yards out.

Whittier ended their scoring later in the frame with freshman Kyle Connelly (Bakersfield, Calif.) taking the Poets 73-yards, highlighted by a 42-yard hook-up with Alex Franco (Los Angeles, Calif.).  After that the defense took over holding the Loggers scoreless over the final 16:35 as WC pulled off the lopsided victory.

Four quarterbacks saw playing time with Avina finishing a perfect 8-for-8 for 150 yards and two touchdowns.  Garlick added 77 yards and Connelly with 74.  On the ground the Poets combined nine running backs for 167 yards.  Shields led the attack with 56 yards averaging 6.2 yards per carry.  Retana finished with 43 yards and Andy Alvarez (West Covina, Calif.) with 40 yards.  Eleven Poets caught a pass on the day with Gonzalez bringing in three for 51 yards.  Franco had two catches for 47 yards and Mateko and Aldana each with 45 yards. 

Freshman Brock Paldi (Oregon City, OR) had the kicking duties on the day picking up five points all coming on extra points.  Defensively the Poets were rock solid totaling three picks, forcing two fumbles, and combining for 10 tackles for losses.  Hussayn Abdul-Qawi (Fontana, Calif.) and Chad Fanning (Yuma, AZ) each added seven tackles and combined for 3.5 tackles for losses.  Abdul-Qawi also forced a fumble.  Freshman Mark Tolmachoff (Hacienda Heights, Calif.) had a big day as well finishing with five tackles with a pair of sacks for a combined 16 yards lost, two tackles for losses, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up.

"We were thrilled to be able to get a number of our players into the game on Saturday," Neale explained.  "No matter how well you practice, its tough to replicate the game day environment and speed.  Many of our players were able to get their first collegiate reps during the game, and for the most part we were very excited about the potential of our team.  With quality depth we will be able to compete every day in practice, as well as on Saturday's.  That competition will no doubt help us reach our full potential both on and off the field."     

Whittier travels next weekend, Saturday, September 21 when they go up to Oregon to take on Lewis & Clark.  Kick-off is set for 11:00am.