Warriors Drop Season Opener at Top-Ranked Riverside

Warriors Drop Season Opener at Top-Ranked Riverside

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – El Camino College drew a tough opponent to open the 2019 season with a road game at No. 1 Riverside and battled were within striking distance in the first half before the Tigers pulled away in the second half to down the Warriors, 55-17, on Saturday night at Wheelock Stadium.

The Warriors (0-1) defense scored two touchdowns and the Warriors trailed by just one score midway through the second quarter after Jalen Lockett returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Warriors deficit to 17-10.

The Tigers (1-0) would score 10 unanswered to close out the half and take a 27-10 lead but the Warriors came out of the halftime break and stifled the Tigers offense in the first nine minutes of the quarter. Rooney Amisone III returned a fumble 25 yards the other way for another defensive touchdown to bring the Warriors back within 10 points.

But the team would get no closer as the Tigers immediately answered on the ensuing kickoff as Tyler Kennedy returned the kick 99 yards for a touchdown to regain the 17-point advantage.

The Warriors would not score again the rest of the game.

Aaron Hatfield and Vandrew Epenesa led the defense with seven tackles on the night with freshman Logan Taylor adding five tackles. Alfredo Reyes had two tackles and one interception.

The Warriors return to action on Saturday with their home opener against Bakersfield. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Murdock Stadium.