The Foothill College Football team took to the field for their regular season opener against West Hills Coalinga this Friday, hoping to start their year on the right foot.
The start wasn't ideal for the Owls offense with a miscommunication causing an interception, but it was luckily called back for a West Hills penalty. Foothill would soon punt afterwards.
However, the defense picked up their guys, holding West Hills to multiple 3 and outs and a missed field goal.
The first quarter ends scoreless as the Owls squander a golden opportunity to take the lead, turning the ball over on downs in the red-zone.
The Owls defense continues to be the star of the show, completely neutralizing the opponent's running game and forcing multiple 3 and outs.
After another dominant defensive drive, disaster strikes on special teams for Foothill as a punt from West Hills inadvertently bounces off an Owls player, giving West Hills a free chance inside the 10 yard line.
But the Owls defense once again comes up extremely clutch, yet a pass interference call gives Coalinga another set of downs inside the 5 yard line.
But the Foothill defense is unstoppable! They stuff them 4 times in a row from 2 yards out, and secure a massive momentum shift in the Owls favor.
The offense immediately feeds off that energy, and QB Shamir Bey launches a deep pass to WR Wuda Ardoin for a 77 yard touchdown. Owls take a 7-0 lead into halftime, with the defense running the show.
The trend continues as the Owls defensive line gets a huge sack to get the ball back to Shamir Bey, and he capitalizes by leading a drive down the field, setting up RB Jaymason Howard for a rushing touchdown.
West Hills, however, immediately responds with a touchdown of their own, but the PAT is expertly blocked by the Owls.
The lead is quickly extended back to two scores, with RB Jaymason Howard fighting for a huge rush and setting up QB Shamir Bey to connect with WR Izaiah Nakanishi, giving the Owls a 21-6 lead.
The defense kept their foot on the gas, with DB Justin Anderson securing an interception and setting up another touchdown reception for WR Wuda Ardoin, giving the Owls a 28-6 lead.
A big sack on 4th down assists Owls RB Jaymason Howard for his second touchdown of the game, putting this contest out of reach for the West Hills.
A fantastic response from the Owls after a tough first half offensively is a great sign of things to come, and Matt Raivio's squad will look to continue the momentum going into next week's game away at Merced.
Final score: Foothill College 35-6 West Hills Coalinga
Written by: Nick Fletcher
Photo by: Ryan Q, @shotsbyryanq