Owls' 2nd-half surge not on Homecoming Night

The Citrus College Football team hosted Cerritos College this past Saturday night, October 26th for their Homecoming Game which resulted in a 33-24 loss. 

Citrus College moves to 2-4 overall on the season and falls to 0-3 in conference games while Cerritos College improves to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in conference games. 

The Owls faced adversity right from the opening kickoff, and an 88-yard kick-return touchdown for Cerritos making the score 7-0. Citrus could not get their offense going in the first quarter as their first four drives resulted in three punts and a lost fumble. 

The Falcons scored on their first two drives of the second quarter, both touchdown passes giving them a commanding 21-0 lead. With five minutes remaining in the second quarter the Owls put together their best drive of the half, a nine-play 91-yard drive that ended with an impressive 36-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Denerson to tight end Sean Persson to make the score 21-7. Cerritos College scored on a 32-yard field goal on their ensuing drive right before halftime to give them a 24-7. 

To open the second half the Owls showed off their run game as Jamahl Wilson broke off a 39-yard rush to set up the second Jake Denerson-to-Sean Persson touchdown connection of the night, a 5-yard touchdown pass making the score 24-14. 

Citrus forced Cerritos to go three-and-out on their ensuing drive and the Owls capitalized. Jake Denerson found Emmanuel Mogbolu for a 12-yard touchdown pass to get the Owls within three points as the score was 24-21. 

Cerritos responded with their own touchdown, making the score 31-21 midway through the third quarter. On the Owls ensuing drive Lucas "Maui" Frommel hit a 19-yard field go to make it a one-score game at 31-24. 

The fourth quarter was a defensive battle between both teams as neither offense could generate scoring drives. The Owls took a safety with two minutes remaining in the game making the final score 33-24. 

The Owls battled back on Homecoming Night but came up short in an exciting game in which Citrus gave their fans and alumni much to look forward to in their three remaining games of the season as the playmaking was on display in the second half. 

Citrus College was led by quarterback Jake Denerson, who got his first start of the season passing for 242 yards and three touchdowns while adding 123 rushing yards. 

Jamahl Wilson ran for 92 yards on eight carries. Hakim Haliburton ran for 31 yards on his 14 carries and added 25 yards on two receptions out of the backfield. 

Sean Persson had his best game of the season as he racked up 10-3 receiving yards on seven receptions with two touchdowns. Brayden Austin had three catches for 86 yards with a long of 73 yards. Emmanuel Mogbolu caught two passes for 16 yards and one touchdown. 

Kyle Ferm led the Owls defense with eight total tackles, 2.5 were tackles for loss. Hunter Corbin recorded six total tackles while Jaylen Wynn and Dominic Rausch each recorded five total tackles, Rausch added a sack. 

Mikahi Dunn led the Owls with three pass breakups followed by two pass breakups each for Phillip Bangura and Kam Forest. 

Citrus College will travel to East Los Angeles College next Saturday, November 2nd for a conference game at 1 p.m.