No. 13 Citrus Falls to Long Beach City in High-Scoring Battle, 52-38

No. 13 in the state-ranked Citrus College Football dropped a tough one at home Saturday night, falling to Long Beach City College 52-38.

With the loss, the Owls move to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while the Vikings improve to 2-4 overall and 2-0 in conference.

Coming off a bye week and riding a three-game winning streak, Citrus was met by a fired-up Long Beach City squad that set the tone early. The Vikings stopped the Owls on their opening drive and then marched 85 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead. On Citrus' next possession, LBCC forced a sack fumble and quickly capitalized to go up 14-0 by the end of the first quarter.

Citrus answered in the second quarter when Brian Salazar Jr. connected with Jalen Thompson for a 59-yard touchdown strike to make it 14-7. The Owls then blocked a punt to set up great field position at the Vikings' 38-yard line, and Salazar found Thompson again — this time from 31 yards out — to tie the game at 14-14.

LBCC regained the lead with a six-play, 69-yard scoring drive, but the Owls responded again as Salazar hit Cameron Bateman over the middle for a 30-yard touchdown, Bateman's seventh of the season. The Vikings added a late field goal to take a 24-21 lead into halftime.

Midway through the third quarter, Long Beach extended its lead after intercepting a pass and converting it into a touchdown to make it 31-21. Alex Hernandez cut the deficit with a 28-yard field goal, but LBCC scored on back-to-back drives — including another off an interception — to pull away 45-24.

Citrus continued to fight, as Salazar capped off a 75-yard drive with a quarterback sneak to make it 45-31. Long Beach answered immediately with another touchdown before Lorenza Simmons electrified the crowd with an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 52-38 — the game's final score. Tempers flared on the return, as several penalties were assessed to both sides.

Salazar Jr. finished with 337 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Keyonn Chatmann rushed 12 times for 75 yards, while Isaiah McKee added 33 yards on five carries. Thompson led the receiving corps with three catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Bateman added five receptions for 76 yards and one score, while Jojo Enriquez (5 catches, 66 yards) and Keaton Morales (5 catches, 51 yards) contributed solid performances.

Defensively, Bear Baker posted a monster outing with a career- and season-high 16 tackles, including one for loss and two pass breakups. Durand Johnson and Jarrel Comer (who also blocked a kick) each tallied nine tackles, while Raymond Esparza and Maddox Barrios added six tackles apiece.

The Owls will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Ventura College for a 6 p.m. conference matchup on Saturday, October 18.