Citrus College Owls football will play in the Western State Bowl game against the Chaffey College Panthers at 1 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Chaffey College.
The Owls finish their season with a 7-3 record and 4-1 in conference play. The Panthers will be the higher seed and finished their season with a 9-1 record and 6-0 in conference.
The Owls’ look to keep their same mindset on defense going into the bowl game.
“Everyone’s been on the same page and we’re just excited to get to the game and utilize everything we have been taught,” Sophomore defensive linemen Jonathan Shelley said.
The Owls’ defensive will be a keep factor in the matchup against the Panthers. The Panthers average 52.5 points per game in conference play. But, the Owls’ defensive is only giving up 17.2 points per game in conference play.
“Main thing we’ve been focusing on is staying composed.” Sophomore defensive end Grant Trueman said. “Not letting the other team get to us.”
The Western State Bowl game will come down to the high powered defensive of the Owls’ against the high energy offense the Panthers have displayed this season.
“Trust in this game is a long way,” Freshman cornerback Tre Curtis said. “We’re going to need every last one of each other.”
This will be the Owls’ first bowl game since the Beach Bowl in 2013, ending in a victory for Citrus and the last Western State Bowl game victory was in 2006.
“If we do what we’re doing then we’re not going to be worried about them (Chaffey College),” Trueman said. “Just staying composed all four quarters and finishing the last quarter, because it’s going to be a close game.”
