Citrus College’s football season came to a close on Saturday, Nov. 14. A season that began with optimism was really never able to get going.
Ron Ponciano, in his seventh season as head coach at Citrus, was proud of the way his team fought throughout the year until the final whistle sounded on their season. This despite losing 23 starters, Ponciano would say during the season, including seven players before the first game.
“It’s amazing these kids compete, I’m really proud of them,” Ponciano said.
The Fighting Owls finished the season at 2-8, including 1-5 in conference play. Home, sweet home was not too kind to Citrus, where the team was 0-5.
Citrus averaged 21.6 ppg while opponents averaged 35.0 ppg. The disparity in scoring average is misleading, as Citrus found themselves in plenty of games down the stretch, only to not be able to make the plays to come up with the win.
Citrus got steady play throughout the year from freshman quarterback Brian Meyette, who would finish the season with 2,372 yards with 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while completing 54.4% of his passing attempts.
Citrus also had a weapon in freshman wide receiver Gino Mastandrea, who would account for 470 total yards from the receiver position and the backfield and contributing 3 touchdowns.
At the wide receiver position, sophomore Brayton Newton would lead the way with 41 receptions for 551 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 74-yarder in the season finale.
Freshman wide receiver Zachery Fields would add 31 receptions for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns on the year.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Fighting Owls were led by sophomores Dillon Fink and Brandon Hayashi.
Fink notched a team-leading 67 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception.
Hayashi contributed with 63 total tackles and 3 sacks on the year.
Freshman defensive back Antonio Sparrow tied Fink with a team-leading 67 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles and one interception.
Although the season did not go the way Citrus was hoping for, there is reason for optimism.
“We’ve been through some stuff this year,” Hayashi said. “A lot of injuries, but this group right here probably is one of the groups that I believe can get somewhere next year. Especially with all these other young guys.”
Citrus has the makings of a quick turn around next season with a talented roster that will always be ready to fight.
