A pair of 2-2 community college football teams will battle this Saturday afternoon at Orange Cove High School's Titan Stadium as the Reedley College Tigers host the Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs.
Kickoff time for Reedley's Homecoming game is set for 2 p.m.
The Tigers are coming off a tough 28-25 loss at Diablo Valley College. On Saturday at Pleasant Hill, the Tigers had a potential tying 35-yard field goal blocked in the final four minutes and then reached the 25-yard line before time ran out on an illegal procedure penalty.
"It was a tough loss," said Tiger head coach Rob Hartenfels. "It went down to the last play again. We just have to find a way to win. We need to capitalize on field position."
Against Diablo Valley, the Tigers roared back from a 7-0 deficit to take a 10-7 halftime lead after a 28-yard field goal by Elias Solis and a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback DJ Stevenson.
But Diablo Valley recovered the second-half kickoff at their own 19 and scored three plays later. They eventually expanded the lead to 28-10.
But Reedley came back to pull to within 28-17 on a pair of Joshua Magana touchdown passes to Antwan Ficklin and Shemar Kirk.
The coach said that running back Tamicus Napier has formed a great one-two punch with starter T'Ky Posey. Napier had 40 yards in six attempts while Posey finished with 53 yards in 12 carries.
Magana was 8 of 20 for 149 yards and two touchdowns while Stevenson was 8 of 16 for 90 yards and one intercepted.
This Saturday's opponent, Santa Rosa, is also 2-2 after a 47-18 rout over Chabot College on Saturday. Reedley opens conference play, hosting 0-3 Contra Costa College on Oct. 15.
College of the Sequoias took over the role of conference favorite, improving to 3-1 with a 51-14 rout of Shasta College. This week, the Giants travel to Diablo Valley for a Friday night game before opening Central Valley Conference action at Fresno City College on Oct. 15.
"This is a great week to bounce back versus a tough Santa Rosa team," said the Tiger head coach.
By: Will Goldbeck