The Long Beach City College football team put together its most complete game of the season to knock off No. 25 state-ranked Moorpark College by a final score of 35-12 in a SCFA Central West Conference game on Saturday at LBCC's Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Long Beach improved to 3-4 overall and has won two games in a row for the first time this season. More importantly, the Vikings lead the CWC with a 2-0 record after beating No. 19 state-ranked L.A. Harbor College last week.
The Viking defense made its presence felt in allowing a season-low 12 points. Long Beach gave up just four field goals by Moorpark's Edward Ruhnke in the first half, but held the Raiders scoreless in the second half. Long Beach twice stopped Moorpark on fourth down and short in the red zone.
The LBCC offense also came alive when it had to late to pull out the win.
Long Beach trailed 12-7 at halftime, with the Vikings getting a one-yard touchdown run from freshman Jerramie Jackson at the 2:00 mark in the first quarter.
After a scoreless third quarter that featured three turnovers, the Vikings finally broke the game open in the fourth with 28 unanswered points.
Jackson capped a seven-play, 45-yard drive with another one-yard TD run with 13:54 left in the fourth to get the Vikings going.
On the Vikings next possession, sophomore quarterback Ryan Craighead connected with sophomore Sean Morris for an impressive 91-yard touchdown reception. Morris caught the ball near the Long Beach 30-yard line and turned on the jets to outrun the Moorpark defense.
Freshman Joel Panteau added a one-yard touchdown run with 5:40 to go and freshman Emeka Agamegwa stormed in from four yards out with three seconds left to close out the win for the Vikings.
Craighead passed for 300+ yards for the sixth consecutive game. He closed the contest completing 21 of 32 passes for 322 yards with one touchdown and an interception against Southern California's No. 1 pass defense team.
Sophomore Willie Bobbitt led all receivers with 10 catches for 116 yards. Morris had two receptions for 102 yards and sophomore Travon Payne had six receptions for 72 yards.
Jackson had the best game for a LBCC rusher this season, collecting 78 yards on eight attempts, including a season-long 67-yard run.
On defense, freshman Dennis Buckner led LBCC with 11 tackles (7 solo). Freshman Montez Hunter (pictured) also had a standout game, posting seven tackles (5 solo) with an interception. Hunter also broke up three passes, including two in the end zone in one-on-one coverage.
For Moorpark (4-3, 1-1 CWC), Nick Owens threw for 257 yards on 24 of 39 passing with no touchdowns and one interception. DeAndre Hutchins caught seven passes for 83 yards and Larry Looney led Moorpark rushers with 42 yards on four carries.
Shane Toth paced the Raiders' defense with 12 tackles (6 solo), one sack, one forced fumble, and one quarterback hurry.
Long Beach returns to action next Saturday (Oct. 29) when it travels to Antelope Valley College for a 1 p.m. conference game.
