WHITTIER, Calif. - Whittier capped off a festive Homecoming weekend by taking on the Redlands Bulldogs on Saturday evening. The Poets fell to the Bulldogs 69-14.
After Whittier punted on its opening possession, Redlands capped off a seven-play drive with a 19-yard rushing touchdown. An onside kick then caught the Poets by surprise, and the Bulldogs capitalized with another score. Whittier trailed 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
The next two Whittier possessions ended in defensive touchdowns for Redlands. An interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery taken to the end zone gave the Bulldogs a 27-0 advantage.
Redlands added two more touchdowns in the quarter to extend its lead to 41-0, but
James Mertz connected with
William Summers for a 13-yard gain that moved the Poets to midfield.
Whittier carried its drive into the second quarter, advancing to the Redlands 21-yard line behind a 13-yard reception by
Ashton Keyes. However, a missed field goal ended the possession and gave the Bulldogs the ball back.
Redlands increased its lead to 48-0 following a five-yard touchdown run. The Poets responded with their first score of the game when Mertz connected with Keyes for a 56-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one.
Preston Yado converted the extra point to make it 48-7.
Whittier's defense later came up with a fourth-down stop at its own 19-yard line.
Josiah Filo made tackles on consecutive plays, including the fourth-down attempt.
Gavyn France broke up a pass on another fourth-down attempt as the Poets forced their second turnover on downs of the quarter. Zachary Cobrun also recorded a five-yard sack earlier in the drive.
Both teams headed into halftime with Redlands leading 48-7.
A 27-yard rushing touchdown from the Bulldogs opened the second half. Another score on the ground increased their advantage to 62-7.
On Whittier's ensuing possession, a 45-yard run from tight end
Alex Cobbs moved the Poets to the Redlands 34-yard line.
Keyes added several productive carries as Whittier advanced to the six-yard line. However, the Poets were unable to convert on fourth down, ending the scoring opportunity.
Redlands took over and marched down the field, eventually finding the end zone on an eight-yard touchdown run to make it 69-7.
Whittier answered with an eight-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Keyes contributed several gains on the ground, while Mertz connected with
Eddie Don for a 10-yard completion to move the Poets into Redlands territory. Mertz then found
Brandon Solaita for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Yado's extra point brought the score to 69-14, and the Bulldogs ran out the remaining time to secure the victory.
Keyes and Cobbs led Whittier's rushing attack with 56 and 50 yards, respectively. Solaita finished with a team-high four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Keyes added two catches for 69 yards and a score.
Keyes also led all players with 125 all-purpose yards.
Linebacker
Jordan Barber paced the Poets defensively with 13 total tackles, followed by France with nine tackles and a pass breakup. Cobrun also contributed a sack and a tackle for loss.
The Poets return to Memorial Field on Saturday, Oct. 31, when they host the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen at 1 p.m. as Whittier Football celebrates Society Day. Catch all the action on
FloCollege.
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