Tigers tripped up by San Mateo

REEDLEY –  The Reedley College Tigers have started with a little bit of a limp in their step this season. And with the defending 3C2A State Champs College of San Mateo coming into town, the Tigers still had difficulties hitting their stride. 

Despite a valiant effort, Reedley College ultimately stumbled, mustering just 138 total yards of offense,  in a 24-7 loss to the top ranked Bulldogs at Sal Gonzalez Field on Sept. 6. The Tigers (0-2) are still in search of their first victory of the season. San Mateo improves to 2-0 to start the season. 

The Tigers came into this game against the Bulldogs hoping to shrug off the ill effects of their 38-7 season-opening loss to Butte on Aug. 29. In that game, Reedley managed 224 yards in the passing game; however, the Tigers run game was a non-factor, as the Roadrunners allowed 0 rushing yards.

While there was some improvement from that tough loss to Butte, Reedley still failed to find any rhythm on offense. An unbalanced Tigers’ attack was led by rusher Israel Robles, who scampered for 53 yards on just 7 carries. Most of Robles’s yards came on a 35-yard dash to midfield in the second quarter; but two incomplete passes and a loss for yards stalled Reedley’s offensive drive. 

The Tigers’ passing game was held in check, as quarterback Ty Chambers was harassed by a hungry Bulldogs’ defense. Chambers threw for just 55 yards, and was sacked four times. 

The only Tigers’ touchdown came just before halftime, when Kannon Campbell blocked a Bulldogs’ punt and returned it 10-yards into the end zone. That score cut into CSM’s lead 14-7 following Christian Haney’s extra point; but unfortunately, that’s as close as the Tigers came to victory. 

San Mateo outgained Reedley 418-138 with effective scoring drives of 64, 72 and 79 yards. Defensively, Carmine Ficher and Ryan Brown, Jr. were the top Tigers of the game. Ficher collected nine tackles and Brown came up with two tackles for losses.  

The Tigers will now lick their wounds and attempt to find a way into the victory column for the first time this season as they hit the road for a night game against Foothill College on Sept. 13.