Riverside routs Canyons in SCFA Championship, to face San Mateo for state title

No. 1 seeded Riverside City College totaled 600 yards of offense while the Tiger defense forced four turnovers and scored two touchdowns of its own on its way to an impressive 68-21 win over No. 3 seed College of the Canyons in the SCFA Championship game on Saturday at Wheelock Stadium in Riverside.

Riverside improved to 12-0 overall and will face unbeaten College of San Mateo (12-0) in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Memorial Stadium in Bakersfield. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Earlier in the day, San Mateo defeated Modesto Junior College 41-0 in the Northern California Championship.

After beating Mt. San Antonio College 48-0 last week in the regional semifinals, Riverside continued that momentum into tonight's contest and proved the Tigers were in control from the start.

On the second play of the game's opening drive, RCC quarterback Jacob Barlage connected with Isaiah Leeth for a 61-yard TD pass that would set the tone for the night.

Canyons allowed a safety on its first drive after a bad snap on a punt attempt rolled through the end zone. RCC got the ball back and quickly marched 55 yards over 10 plays to score on a six-yard touchdown run by Jalen Young.

Trailing 16-0, Canyons (9-3) took advantage of a Riverside interception and finally got on the board thanks to a 57-yard touchdown pass from Armani Eddens to Alonzell Henderson.

But the Tigers responded with two more touchdown passes from Barlage to close out the first quarter with a commanding 30-7 lead. Riverside was up 47-7 at halftime and was never threatened.

The Tiger defense was just as impressive. RCC held Canyons to -6 yards rushing and got a sack/fumble recovery touchdown from Kobey Fitzgerald in the third quarter and a 98-yard interception return for a TD from Jalen Bowens in the fourth.

Henderson had a big game in the loss for the Cougars, totaling 128 yards receiving on 5 catches with a touchdown. Edden completed 13 of 28 passes for 305 yards with 3 touchdowns but 2 interceptions.

For the Tigers, Barlage threw for 309 yards and 4 TDs while Leeth hauled in 4 receptions for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Riverside is one win away from capturing its first state championship since 1989.