MOORPARK, Calif. – The Santa Barbara City College Football team were defeated by Moorpark on Thursday night, 41-21.
The Vaqueros welcomed the return of quarterback Tua Rojas, who split time virtually evenly with sophomore Brooks Trimmer. They both had good statlines considering—Trimmer went eight-for-14 for 108 yards, while Rojas was 10-for-13 for 96 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
But Moorpark quickly got out to an early lead, putting the Vaqueros behind the eight ball. Two long rushing touchdowns in the first half of the first quarter gave the hosts a 14-0 lead. Later, they scored on the first play of the second quarter and then twice more before halftime to make it 34-0.
The Raiders’ first drive of the third quarter also resulted in a touchdown. The Vaqueros—as is typical—continued fighting and were able to end the game positively with 21 unanswered points.
Bishop Diego grad Oscar Anoai had 49 all-purpose yards on the ensuing drive. Levi Cavalli was the one who punched it in, though, on a three-yard rushing touchdown to get the Vaqueros on the board.
Santa Barbara’s defense forced a punt, but they regained possession on their own 10-yard-line. It resulted in a 90-yard touchdown drive, culminating in a nine-yard touchdown pass from Rojas to Ayden Staricco.
As the fourth quarter ticked away, they reached the endzone one more time. Cavalli’s 42-yard rushing touchdown right before the two-minute timeout brought the score to 41-21—where it ended.
Anoai led the team in rushing with 90 yards on 13 carries (6.9 per carry). Cavalli tallied 59 yards and the two touchdowns.
Staricco led the team with four catches for 58 receiving yards. Kerek Kato was not far behind with three catches for 55 yards.
Defensive back Mason Eagal had a team-leading seven tackles. Linebacker Nelson Smith had one and a half sacks.
The Vaqueros stay on the road, traveling to No. 7 Mt. San Antonio (5-1, 3-0) next Saturday at 2 p.m.