Warriors Overcome Early Hole to Defeat Riverside

TORRANCE, Calif. --- No. 7 El Camino College overcame a double-digit deficit and pulled ahead late to score a thrilling 44-42 National Southern League win over No. 13 Riverside on Saturday night at Murdock Stadium.

The Warriors trailed 28-7 in the first half but outscored the Tigers 37-14 in the final 37:36 of game time to defeat RCC for the first time since October 3, 2009 when the Warriors beat the Tigers 41-16 at the old Murdock Stadium. The Warriors had lost 13 straight meetings against the Tigers prior to Saturday night's victory.

Jaden Moore led the offense with 140 rushing yards on 23 carries and scored three rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Andrew Maushardt went 18-for-34 for 324 yards and threw two touchdowns despite throwing two interceptions. Brandon Jones had five catches for 130 yards including a 70-yard touchdown.

Kicker Christian Miranda played the hero as his 26-yard field goal with 2:14 left in regulation put the Warriors ahead for good.

It was not a great start for the Warriors as Riverside scored to touchdowns in under 10 minutes to start the game and take a quick 14-0 lead. It would balloon to a 28-7 deficit but the Warriors clawed back with 14 straight points to make it 28-21 at the half.

The Tigers would score on their opening drive of the second half to make it 35-21 but Maushardt connected with Jones on a 70-yard TD strike on the first play of ECC's ensuing drive to pull back within seven.

Both teams would add another touchdown in the quarter to make it a 42-35 game heading into the fourth and that's when the Warriors defense stepped in, shutting out the Tigers in the final 15 minutes.

The Tigers did miss three field goals in the final period including the potential game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired to secure the win for the Warriors.

With the win, the Warriors will have the opportunity to play for their second straight league title and first National Southern League when they travel to Saddleback on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Bobcats are tied with the Warriors atop the league standings after they defeated Southwestern on Saturday.

It will mark the first meeting between the teams since 2017 and first conference/league game since both teams were in the Mission Conference in 2007. The Warriors currently hold a 13-15 all-time record against Saddleback dating back to their first meeting in 1984.