Despite earning 100 more offensive yards than College of the Canyons, the Cougars nudged the Warriors further away from a bowl game last Saturday night as they committed six turnovers in their northern conference opener.
Handing them their second consecutive loss of the season, the Cougars scored 13 points off turnovers, dismantling a distracted Warrior offense in Santa Clarita, 26-9.
“We can’t turn the ball over six times against a good football team and win,” John Featherstone, coach, said. “You’re not going to win a lot of games if you’re not creating turnovers or eliminating your own turnovers.”
After a 77-yard opening drive touchdown by the Cougars, the Warriors quickly found themselves in a 13-0 deficit when Omar Herrera, quarterback, threw an interception that was returned 45 yards for a touchdown.
He was also accountable for a fumble that was converted into a touchdown late in the third quarter.
Two series later, Dex Lucci, backup quarterback, was activated for the first time since September, completing nine of 17 throws. Lucci was responsible for a 44-yard touchdown drive in his first series, making up the only touchdown for the team.
Some of the problems on the field for the team can be attributed to actions off the field, Featherstone said.
“We’ve stumbled in the past few weeks probably because of off the field distractions and making mistakes at the wrong time in the game in terms of big time momentum,” Featherstone said.
News broke early October on the Southern California Football Association’s website, reporting an ineligible player resulting in the team’s first four wins to be redacted.
To date, the SCFA has placed an asterisk on wins early in the season against LA Southwest, Grossmont, Golden West and Harbor College; labeling them forfeits.
EC has appealed the decision and could receive word on the SCFA’s ruling as early as later this month.
“When they let us know, it put everyone off,” Raynard Westbrook, fullback said. “We felt bad, but you know there’s really nothing we can do. We just have to keep playing everyday, get better and make up for it.”
Next, the Warriors battle Cerritos College in what’s been dubbed the “Milk Can Bowl.”
Renamed Cerritos in 1967, Dairy Valley was home to over 400 dairy farms.
To commemorate this past, Cerritos has battled the Warriors for over 40 years for the coveted milk can trophy.
Cerritos currently has the trophy, but Featherstone is optimistic that his team will steal it away in the latest installment of this long standing tradition.
“Whoever wins has still got a chance to be in the playoffs and a bowl game,” Featherstone said. “The loser is probably done in terms of a conference championship.”
Featherstone said he knows the next game will determine their season.
“This is do or die,” he said.