Riverside City College holds off Long Beach in season opener – Press Enterprise

Jordan Barton’s return to the Riverside City College football program was a success, as he tossed five touchdown passes Saturday afternoon to lead the Tigers to a 45-40 win over Long Beach City College at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

Barton, who graduated from Damien High School, led RCC to the Southern California Football Association championship back in 2021. Barton transferred to University of Texas-Permian Basin but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in last year’s opener. He decided to return to Riverside for another stint after being granted a medical redshirt.

Barton completed 26 of 35 passes for 326 yards Saturday afternoon.

Long Beach grabbed a 7-0 lead when Will Madonna threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jaquavion Caldwell with 4 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Barton guided RCC to touchdowns on three consecutive possessions to help the Tigers take a 21-7 lead. Barton tossed touchdowns to Demarion Young (20 yards), Jesse Campbell (45) and Jacqueze Modica (13).

Barton’s fourth touchdown of the first half — a 25-yarder to Campbell — gave the Tigers a 28-13 lead with 1:15 left to play, but Long Beach quickly answered back when Madonna connected with Ashun Brown for a 97-yard touchdown right before halftime.

Kajiya Hollawayne caught a 6-yard touchdown from Barton to give RCC a 45-34 lead with 11:36 in the fourth quarter.

Long Beach cut the deficit to 45-40 on the ensuing drive, and the Vikings had three opportunities to take the lead during the final period. RCC’s Esaia Bogar had sacks on back-to-back plays in the closing minute to help seal the victory for the Tigers.

Campbell caught five passes for 120 yards, and Bryce Strong led RCC”s ground attack with 70 yards and a touchdown.

Madonna finished the game with 440 yards through the air and five touchdown passes.

RCC will play its first game at Wheelock Stadium in 22 months when it welcomes Golden West on Saturday, Sept. 9.

CHAFFEY VICTORIOUS IN CHIAVERINI’S DEBUT

Dereun Dortch passed for 140 yards and two touchdowns and also added 110 yards and another touchdown on the ground as Chaffey College went on the road and defeated LA Valley College 34-9 in Darrin Chiaverini’s coaching debut with the Panthers.

Chaffey grabbed the lead in the second quarter when Ian Eveleth tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Corey Cabrales. Dortch threw touchdowns to Demajea Mitchell and Jayson Cortes later in the half to help extend that lead to 21-0.

Cortes finished the game with 149 yards from scrimmage (66 rushing, 83 receiving) and two touchdowns.

Chaffey has its home opener Saturday, Sept. 9, when the Panthers welcome LA Pierce.

REDLANDS WINS OPENER OVER PACIFIC LUTHERAN

Tyler Tremain threw for 146 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground as University of Redlands defeated Pacific Lutheran University 24-14 in a nonconference game at Bellarmine Prep Memorial Field in Tacoma, Washington.

Redlands trailed 14-0 late in the first half, but Tremain got the Bulldogs going with a 1-yard run before halftime.

Laurence Williams forced a fumble on the second-half kickoff and Ethan Knight recovered the loose ball to put Redlands in scoring position. Tremain helped the Bulldogs level the score two plays later when he scored on another 1-yard run.

Vicente Garcia kicked a 35-yard field goal with 9:31 remaining in the third quarter to give Redlands a 17-14 lead, and Tony Williams Jr. scored on an 8-yard run with 4:35 in the game to seal the victory for the Bulldogs.

Tony Williams finished with 94 yards on the ground.

Redlands will take a bye week and welcome Linfield (Oregon) for its home opener at Ted Runner Stadium on Sept. 16.

CMS WINS SEASON OPENER IN CHICAGO

Justin Edwards ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns as Claremont-Mudd-Scripps beat host University of Chicago 24-19.

CMS raced to a 10-0 lead in the opening quarter, but Chicago rattled off 15 consecutive points to take the lead.

Edwards scored his second touchdown of the game — a 1-yard run — to help give CMS a 17-15 lead going into halftime.

Walter Kuhlenkamp tossed a 73-yard touchdown to Anderson Cynkar with 1:53 in the third quarter to extend the lead.

Thanio Bright had two interceptions for the Stags.

CMS will take a bye week and welcome George Fox (Oregon) for its home opener Sept. 16.

MSJC DROPS OPENER TO MT. SAC

Samuel Green ran for 135 yards on 12 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns in leading Mt. San Antonio College to a 23-7 home victory over Mt. San Jacinto College.

Zach Zella scored on a 5-yard run with 33 seconds left in the game to help MSJC avoid the shutout.

Carsten Mamaril was a bright spot for the Eagles on defense, as he registered two sacks and forced a fumble.

MSJC welcomes Citrus College for its home opener Saturday, Sept. 9, at The Stadium at Menifee.

LA VERNE COMES UP SHORT AGAINST WILLAMETTE

Justin Genovia’s 46-yard touchdown run with 6:55 remaining in the game was the difference as Willamette (Oregon) rallied for a 24-21 victory to spoil University of La Verne’s home opener.

La Verne took a 21-17 lead a few minutes earlier when Juan Gutierrez caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Nicolas Garcia.

De Lante’ Moore, Oscar Montenegro and Aidan Clinton all intercepted a pass for La Verne.

The Leopards have a bye and will travel to Tacoma, Washington to play University of Puget Sound on Sept. 16.

SBVC ROUTED BY MESA

San Diego Mesa held San Bernardino Valley College to 86 yards from scrimmage in a 47-0 victory over the Wolverines.

SBVC has lost 15 consecutive games dating back to the 2021 season. The Wolverines head to Southwestern on Sept. 9.