At the Saturday home game, the Bakersfield College Renegades suffered their first loss of the season against the Riverside City College Tigers, who won with a 28-26 victory.
Both of the Renegades’ previous wins were decisive and final, as the players took the lead in both plays against Allan Hancock College (21-6) and Chaffey College (46-13).
During the first period, Vic Viramontes, number 10 of Riverside, scored with a 13-yard run touchdown, followed by two separate touchdowns in the second and fourth period. Viramonte’s touchdowns would ultimately decide the game.
With Riverside ahead 7-0, BC’s own Aldo Gonzales, number 96, scored two field goals within the second period, bringing the score to 7-6. Viramontes then came in and scored his second touchdown at the 1-yard mark, closing the score with the Riverside Tigers still in the lead 14-6.
Following half-time, both the Renegades and the Tigers scored. First, Renegade Ernest Harris, number 26, intercepted at the 57-yard line before scoring 14-13, only one point behind Riverside. Malik Walker, number 27, then brought his team ahead 12-13, with a 34-yard touchdown.
The fourth and final period proved to be the toughest, as the Renegades scored two touchdowns in a last ditch effort to tie with Riverside, only to fall two points short with a 28-26 loss.
The first touchdown by BC Renegade Elisha Ortiz, number 1, with a pass from Cesar De Leon, number 15, bringing the game to 21-19. The Tigers’ number 10, Viramontes, then scored his third and final touchdown from the 7-yard line and sealing his team’s victory 28-19. The final touchdown came from BC player Jeffrey Jones, number 82, catching a pass from De Leon at the 75-yard line, bringing the final score to 28-26.
With a three game win streak ripped from Bakersfield College’s grasp, the Renegades still have several games before the playoffs come into play. The Renegades next game will be at Los Angeles Harbor College Saturday, September 23.