There are no longer any undefeated football teams in the National Division Valley Conference of the NCFC. After Saturday's 31-21 Tiger victory in San Pablo, both Reedley and Contra Costa College are 5-1 overall in 2023. The Tigers are 1-0 in conference, in a three-way tie for first place (FCC & MJC).
Keys to the win over the previously undefeated Comets were the Reedley defense and special teams, according to head coach Rob Hartenfels. The Tigers forced seven Contra Costa turnovers (four lost fumbles and three pass interceptions). Reedley blocked a field goal attempt and recovered a fumble on the return. Four plays later, Reedley scored on a 13-yard pass from DJ Stevenson to Nick Osho to increase the Tiger lead to 21-7 at halftime.
Reedley took the lead four and a half minutes into the contest on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Stevenson to Johnathon Calderon (Dinuba). "The offense capitalized on great field position and ran the ball extremely well," said the coach. The Comets outgainedtim the Tigers 444-259 and had an edge in time in possession. In the final two minutes of the third quarter, Reedley increased the lead to 31-7 on a 33-yard field goal by Jayden Evangelo and a 22-yard touchdown run by C'Ontae Cason.
Contra Costa managed two short touchdowns in the final fourth quarter to wrap up the scoring. Defensively, sophomore Langston Latham led the Tigers with six tackles, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Nick Osho returned after being held out for injury the last two games and had 60 yards in 17 carries, while C'ontae Cason finished with 52 yards in 11 tries. Stevenson was 10 of 17 for 54 yards, completing passes to seven receivers.
Reedley hosts College of the Sequoias Saturday at 2 pm over at RHS Sal Gonzalez stadium in Reedley. COS lost to FCC 31-28 last game. The loss broke a three-game winning streak for the 3-3 Giants, who have defeated Shasta 40-27, San Joaquin Delta 42-7 and Diablo Valley 28-14. In the other conference opener, Modesto ousccored Sacramento City 27-14 in Sacramento.
By Will Goldbeck