One more win.
The City College of San Francisco football team is one win away from completing one of the greatest seasons in school history. On Saturday, the Rams bring their perfect 12-0 record to Hilmer Lodge Stadium in Walnut where they will face Southern California champion Riverside City College in the 2021 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship.
Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. at the new stadium located on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College. Ticket prices for the CCCAA event are $12 for general admission and $8 for all identified students, faculty, staff, senior citizens age 60 and over, and children under 12 years old. Tickets are available in advance online through the CCCAA HomeTown Ticketing page.
The game will be live streamed free by Bay Area Online Sports Network at BAOSN.tv. Live stats will also be available on the CCSF website.
The Rams reached the state championship after defeating rival College of San Mateo on Saturday by a final score of 20-17 in the Northern California Regional Championship.
CCSF returns to the state championship final for the first time since winning it all in 2015. The Rams defeated Saddleback College 26-14 to capture the program's eight state championship since 1994. CCSF closed the season at 12-1 and was also crowned as national champions that season as well.
This year's Rams squad, led by Bay 6 League Coach of the Year Jimmy Collins, tore through the competition early in the season before finally getting tested over the final three weeks. CCSF leads the state in scoring with 540 points and 74 touchdowns. The Rams' 45.0 points per game ranks No. 1 in Northern California.
Sophomore quarterback Jack Newman leads the potent CCSF offense. Regardless of Saturday's outcome, he will go down as one of the all-time greats to suit up in a Rams uniform. In last week's Northern California Championship win, Newman became the program's all-time leader in career passing yards (6,827) and touchdowns (67).
Newman currently leads the state this season with 3,359 yards and 36 touchdowns. He's completed 227 of 335 attempts (68 percent) with just 5 interceptions. His top target has been sophomore wide receiver Jeffrey Weimer who also leads the CCCAA with 75 receptions, 1,253 yards, and 17 touchdowns.
On the ground, freshman running back Shawn Allen carries the bulk of the load. He's rushed 153 times for 724 yards with 10 TDs.
The CCSF defense was just as impressive. The Rams posted three shutouts this season and at one stretch allowed just seven points over 16 quarters. The defense has allowed a state-low 220.7 yards per game (166.8 yards passing/53.9 yards rushing) and 11.7 points per game, ranking No. 2 in the state.
Freshman defensive lineman Jahvius Leui has been a monster up front. He's totaled 54 tackles, including 18.5 tackles for loss. His 8 sacks are tied for fifth-most in the state. From the linebacker position, sophomore Elias Rantissi leads CCSF with 56 tackles (8.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and Frederick Thompkins has 55 tackles.
Freshman D'Andre Greeley leads the shutdown CCSF secondary. He's hauled in a state-leading 9 interceptions including two returned for touchdowns. His pick late in the fourth quarter last week against College of San Mateo sealed the Rams' win NorCal Championship win.
Sophomore Sam Lockett has 3 interceptions and leads the secondary with 35 tackles while sophomore Trenton Holloway has 34 tackles with an interception.
Riverside enters its second consecutive state championship with a 10-2 record. The Tigers knocked off previously unbeaten Golden West College 27-23 in the Southern California final.
Players to watch for Riverside:
Jordan Barton – 155-for-229, 2,164 YDs, 19 TDs, 5 INTs, 240.4 YPG, 170.1 QB efficiency
Lawrence Starks – 95c, 537 YDs, 5 rushing TDs, 12 rec, 221 YDs, 3 receiving TDs
Jammal Houston – 41 rec, 678 YDs, 5 TDs
Juwan Tucker – 33 rec, 407 YDs, 2 TDs
Marquis Ashley – 28 rec, 464 YDs, 5 TD, 51.6 YPG
Ricardo Chavez – 19 FGs, 56 yards (long), 31-for-31 XPA, 88 TP
Noa Purcell – 60 tackles, 5.5 TPG, 2 FF, FR
Demarco Moorer – 3 INTs, 41 tackles
Carlton Johnson – 39 tackles, two INTs, 2 INT TDs
In the last state championship game held, Riverside beat San Mateo 31-14 for the 2019 state title. The Tigers are led by 11th year head coach Tom Craft.