Sophomore quarterback Kenny Potter (San Pedro HS) tossed three touchdown passes and ran for another to help lead the Long Beach City College football team to a 31-19 non-league win at Bakersfield College's Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
With the win, Long Beach improved to 3-0 overall. It's the Vikings best start since the 1990s. LBCC looks to continue its unbeaten start to the season next Saturday (Sep 27) at 6 p.m. when the Vikings travel to Los Angeles Harbor College to open their Central League schedule.
Potter had his second straight big game for the Vikings on Saturday, this time throwing for 240 yards on 17 of 26 passing. He also ran 13 times for 94 yards. Two of Potter's three TD passes came in the fourth quarter, while his five-yard touchdown run at the 14:21 mark in the fourth turned a narrow five-point LBCC lead into a 24-19 advantage.
Potter closed out the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown pass to sophomore De'Quan Hampton (Dominguez HS) to put the game out of reach with 5:28 left in the contest. Hampton led LBCC receivers with eight catches for 132 yards.
Trailing 9-7 in the second quarter, freshman Michael Whitt's (San Pedro HS) 18-yard touchdown reception from Potter gave the Vikings the lead for good.
Potter and freshman Anterio Bateman (Serra HS) hooked up for a 15-yard TD for the Vikings' opening score in the first quarter. Bateman broke three tackles on his way in for the touchdown. Bateman ran for a season-best 122 yards on 20 carries.
The Long Beach defense was also solid and recovered a pair of Bakersfield (1-2) fumbles to halt potential scoring drives. The Vikings also totaled six sacks on the night. Sophomore Matthew Rowe (Poly HS) led LBCC with 12 tackles and two sacks.
