REEDLEY – In a season filled with lost hopes, but plenty of pride left to play for, the Reedley College Tigers had their sights set on snatching the coveted Pump from the Fresno City College Rams.
However, any plans the Tigers had to claim the ultimate prize representing the rivalry with the Rams quickly fell by the wayside. Reedley College ended up chasing their tails as Fresno City College racked up nearly 549 yards of total offense in a 77-24 victory at Sal Gonzalez Field on Nov. 8.
The Tigers trailed the Rams 14-0 coming out of the gate before Christian Haney’s 32-yard field goal finally put some points on the board. Reedley pulled to within 28-10 when quarterback Ty Chambers found receiver Donavan Smith from 10-yards out to cap off a 5 play, 70 yard drive with 1:50 to go in the first half.
Unfortunately, the Rams poured it on in the second half to keep the Tigers at bay. Fresno City outscored Reedley 42-7, due in large part to two Chamber’s interceptions, both returned inside the Tigers’ 5 yard line.
Rams’ backup running back Jackson Cinfel, who started in place of injured leading rusher Jordan Colbert, shredded the Tigers for 87-yards on 9 carries and a game-high 4 touchdowns.
Chambers also connected with Braylen Hall and Jacob Saldate for the Tigers’ only other scores of the afternoon. Chambers, who was under constant pressure from the Rams, got sacked 3 times while throwing for 178 yards.
Tiger’s sophomore defensive back Carmine Ficher, who was one of 29 Reedley College sophomores honored before the game, was one of the bright spots on defense. Ficher finished with 10 tackles.
With the Pump officially out of reach, and their pride a little wounded, Reedley’s (2-8 /0-5) disappointing season comes to an end. As for Fresno City, the Pump is merely an exclamation mark on a victory they had to have for their legendary coach, Tony Cavigila, and their postseason hopes as well.
Caviglia, who’s coached Fresno City for the last 27 years, extends his storied coaching career for another game. Cavigila previously announced his intentions to step down at the end of the season.
The Rams (6-4 / 4-1) are also guaranteed a berth in the Northern California Playoffs. Fresno City, who is seeded #5 in the playoffs, will play #4 seed City College of San Francisco on Nov. 22. The winner of that game will have the honor of playing top-seed and defending state champs San Mateo.
