By Corey Kwok
(Citrus College) – Citrus quarterback Bernard Porter (Summit) threw for three touchdowns and ran in another to lead the Owls past Pasadena City College 35-14 Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
With 6:56 left in the opening stanza, Porter aired Citrus onto the scoreboard first at the end of an eight play, 78-yard drive by darting a 25-yarder to Andre Holmes (Glendora). The extra point was missed. Holmes also led all rushers on 10 carries for 44 yards.
The Lancers responded and took a brief 7-6 lead in the second quarter when Justin Posthuma (St Francis) drifted a six yard paydirt strike to Lance Tongakilo (Queensland, Australia).
Citrus then laid out a swift response to go ahead for good as Porter connected with Robby Haines on a nine yard score before airing it out to Michael Ball (Rowland) for the two point conversion and 14-7 Owl lead.
The final minute of the first half unfolded in dramatic fashion. Justin Robles (Chino Hills) charged in from two yards out and extended the Owls’ lead to 21-7 with 59 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing Lancer possession, Posthuma launched another one for a score to Tairen Owens (Muir) who dashed 49 yards to the end zone 25 seconds before halftime to draw the Lancers within seven. Owens finished with four catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Citrus then spread out a pair of unanswered scores in the third frame to put away PCC as Porter dealt a 19 yard strike to Scott Calles (Chino Hills) before drawing into the end zone from two yards out to bookend all scoring. Neither team cashed in during the fourth quarter.
The Lancers were stymied to just 42 net rushing yards and were led by Cameron Washington (Alemany) with 13 on five attempts, followed by 12 off eight carries from Zander Anding (Burroughs).
Jimmy Frazier (West Covina) had a nice 11 yard burst and tallied 33 yards on eight touches.
Citrus travels for the next two weeks out to Moorpark (9/8) and Grossmont (9/15) before returning home to commence National Central Conference play against the Mt. SAC Mounties on September 22. All game times are 1:00pm.
PCC meanwhile follows with a pair of home stands in dates with the Orange Coast Pirates (home opener, 9/8) and El Camino Warriors (9/15), before visiting College Of The Canyons in Santa Clarita on September 22 to begin National Southern Conference play.
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