HOME OF THE AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE BEAVERS

ARC vs Chabot

Capital City Bowl at ARC

November 19, 2011

It wasn’t a perfect performance by record-breaking freshman quarterback Andy McAlindon and the American River College offense. But it was darn near perfection for the Beavers defense and special teams. And that is good enough to for the coaching staff and players to scream out perfection. “We’re 11-0 now. We got the win. I don’t even know what to say right now,” sophomore running back Joe Ferguson said following the final play. ARC beat Chabot College of Hayward 41-18 on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Beaver Stadium in the Capital City Bowl in front of a crowd of over 3,000 fans. The Beavers now have the first ever 11-0 season in school history. “It is hard to win 11-and-anything,” ARC head coach Jerry Haflich said. The Beavers finished 11-1 in 1967, and the 2005 team lost in the bowl game to finish 10-1. Haflich was the defensive coordinator for that '05 team. The Beavers(11-0, 4-0 MEC, ranked third in Northern California, fifth in the state and ninth nationally, used a bevy of defensive stops all day against the fourth ranked rushing offense in the state. “It was a big team effort,” freshman linebacker Samson Failfili. “We wanted to get them into third-and-long situations, and that is what we did. That’s what won the game.” And despite McAlindon getting hurried against a top-five defense, the Beavers were able to rely on special teams to also play a huge part in the win. On three occasions, the Beavers regained the ball in great field position with a tackle on the punter in the first quarter. A snap sailed over the head of the punter in the second quarter. And on the first drive of the second half, the Beavers blocked a punt. “I really believe we have out-coached a lot of teams on special teams all year,” Haflich said. “We were really prepared this week and the guys did a great job of executing.” His inability to play on offense because of a spider bite that forced running back Devonte Booker to have to spend a night this week in the hospital to have it drained–he voice his frustration that he took out on the Gladiators (9-2) special teams once he got his hands on the ball. Booker returned a kickoff for 85-yards in the second half that all but sealed the victory for the Beavers. “I was just sitting back there with a lot of anger and frustration,” Booker said. “I got the return, found an opening and took it to the house.” It was a brisk day once clouds rolled in over the field prior to kickoff, giving this Saturday afternoon a real November feel and it was darn right cold and dark at the end of the game. But that didn't stop the Beavers from celebrating. “Finishing my career 21-1 and back-to-back (conference titles) for the first time in school history and breaking records–it feels awesome,” All-American defensive lineman Cortez Woods said. McAlindon expressed the want to return to ARC next season. Backed with Booker at running back next season and a strong secondary back with Zane Petty, Clifford Redmond, Cody Brooks and Scott Patalano all returning. McAlindon will miss his stable of receivers moving on, but Haflich and staff have done a bang up job recruiting, it would be hard to expect another strong class coming in for ARC in 2012. But for this season, the excitement of perfection is all that is truly on their mind. “I am just happy to be here and start a new dynasty here at ARC,” Woods said.

By Trevor Horn, Sports Editor-The Current

ARC vs Sac City

November 12, 2011

Instead of one finger left, it is now 10 in the air. American River College football team defeated Sacramento City College 47-28 in the final regular season home game on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Beaver Stadium. The win gave the Beavers the first undefeated regular season since 2005 and the chance at the first 11-0 season in school history. But it wasn’t easy. Both teams combined for six touchdowns in the third quarter, and strong defensive line push by Sac City gave ARC fits in the second half. ARC (10-0, 4-0 MEC) will host the Central Division bowl game next Saturday at Beaver Stadium against Chabot (9-1). ARC is ranked 9th nationally and Chabot is 16th. The Beavers got out to an early lead with a touchdown pass from Andy McAlindon to Michael Lindsay. The throw was the 33rd for McAlindon, setting an ARC all-time record after just over nine games into his freshman season. Previous record, set by Todd Larson, was held for 25 years. The defense scored a safety in the first quarter and intercepted four passes. Bryce Pratt (65 yards) and Devonte Booker (90 yards) scored back-to-back kickoff returns for touchdowns in the the third quarter. McAlindon scored on the ground on the next possession for the Beavers with a short scamper score, giving the Beavers a 13-0 lead early in the first quarter. Head coach Jerry Haflich said the team will celebrate “until the sun rises”, then they will get into practice mode for the bowl game set for 1 p.m. at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 19.

By Trevor Horn, Sports Editor-The Current

ARC vs Mendocino

November 5, 2011

On a rain-soaked first Saturday in November, American River College defeated Mendocino College 39-19 in Ukiah, California on Nov. 5. Freshman quarterback Andy McAlindon needed just nine games to tie the all-time ARC record of 32 career touchdown passes as he tossed a 12-yard score to Michael Lindsay with six minutes, 43 seconds left in the third quarter as the rain poured down on the field. The score gave ARC a commanding 39-13 lead and almost sealed the deal. ARC (9-0, 3-0 MEC) also got a career-high rushing day from freshman Devonte Booker (169 yards, 2 TD). The Beavers started slowly, as McAlindon was sacked twice on the opening drive. But an opportunistic defense recovered a fumble, and the run game for the Beavers capped off three early scoring drives as the Beavers opened up for a 21-0 second quarter lead. Mendocino made the game interesting with three touchdown passes of 61, 63 and 90 yards, but had only 119 yards on the other 47 offense plays. The Beavers finish the regular season at home Saturday, Nov. 12 against Sacramento City College at Beaver Stadium at 1:00 p.m.

By Trevor Horn, Sports Editor-The Current

ARC vs Feather River

October 29, 2011

Despite a four-turnover performance in the first half, the American River College football team dismantled Feather River College 73-21 at Beaver Stadium Saturday Oct. 29. The Beavers (8-0, 2-0 MEC) turned the ball over on the first two possessions of the game and Andy McAlindon threw two interceptions before halftime. However, ARC never punted all afternoon and scored touchdowns on six straight second half possessions in the second half in front of a very vocal and lively crowd. Devonte Booker had a career-high 141 yards rushing and three touchdowns for the Beavers. Fellow running backs Bryce Pratt (72 yards), Joesph Ferguson (71 yards) and backup quarterback Reggie Langford (72 yards) all scored a rushing touchdown as quarterback Andy McAlindon continued his record-breaking pace with two more touchdown passes to Justin Collins. McAlindon has 28 touchdowns passes through eight games. The all-time record at ARC is 32, set by Todd Larson in 1986. The offense, which racked up a season-high 702 total yards, could have scored another rushing touchdown with just over four minutes remaining after Booker broke loose for a 40-yard run down the sideline before going down at the 2-yardline. Head coach Jerry Haflich chose to kneel on the ball and letting the clock run down instead of tacking on 80 points on the Golden Eagles. The Beavers defense continued the season long dominance, giving up just seven points before the starters were pulled with over nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. ARC, led Saturday by All-American Cortes Woods 2.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions by the secondary, has given up an average 6.6 points in the first half this season.

By Trevor Horn, Sports Editor-The Current

ARC vs Contra Costa

October 22, 2011

American River College continued the quest for an undefeated season after beating Contra Costa College 41-13 in San Pablo on Saturday, Oct. 22. Freshman quarterback Andy McAlindon continued to pad his record-setting total of 26 touchdown passes this season with three more against Contra Costa. McAlindon threw two touchdowns to sophomore wide receiver Justin Collins and his third to Raymond Dickerson. Running backs Devonte Booker and Joseph Ferguson both found pay dirt on the ground for the Beavers. ARC also continued the trend of a non-offense touchdown for the third straight game when Scott Patalano blocked a Comets punt and Tevin Tyus returned it for a touchdown. The Beavers, ranked 17th in the nation by JCFootball.com, return home to host Feather River College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Beaver Stadium. Admission is free for all ARC students with student ID card.

By Trevor Horn, Sports Editor-The Current

ARC vs Siskiyous

October 15, 2011

It wasn't the cleanest performance, but American River College was able to open up their Mid-Empire Conference season with a 36-21 win over College of the Siskiyous on Saturday, Oct.15. Behind Devonte Booker's first 100-yard rushing performance (14 carries, 104 yards) this season for a Beavers running back--ARC overcame injuries and a pre-dawn bus ride to hold off the Eagles in Weed, California. The Beavers departed the athletic department parking lot at 6 a.m. on the dot, and the early rise showed in a less than stellar second quarter, as the Beavers let a 17-0 first quarter lead slip to a 23-14 halftime score as the Eagles completed two long touchdown passes in the second quarter. After a non-PG halftime speech by head coach Jerry Haflich, the ARC defense held Siskiyous to just seven second half points, led by defensive end Thomas Evans two fumble recoveries. The Beavers defense in the first quarter also scored a touchdown for the second consecutive week. Cornerback Clifford Redmond intercepted a pass and returned the ball 33 yards for a touchdown, giving the Beavers a quick 13-0 lead less than eight minutes into the contest. The Beavers (6-0, 1-0 MEC) also watched two starting linebackers go down with injuries Saturday afternoon. Leading tackler Terry Easmon was hobbled and on the sideline for most of the second half with a leg injury. Freshman Samson Faifili went down after a tackle with 1:40 left in the game, and laid on the field for over 20 minutes before the training staff and paramedics helped Failfili onto a stretcher with his neck held in place into the ambulance. Coach Haflich did state that he was given a good prognosis for Failfili, but he did not travel with the team back following the game. Quarterback Andy McAlindon's stats returned back to Earth Saturday, throwing for 181 yards and one touchdown after averaging over four touchdowns per game to begin the season.

By Trevor Horn, Sports Editor-The Current

ARC vs Yuba

October 8, 2011

Behind a record-breaking performance by freshman quarterback Andy McAlindon, the American River College football team dominated Yuba City College 54-12 Saturday at Beaver Stadium. McAlindon threw for a school-record six touchdown passes versus the 49ers. The final touchdown pass with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter to Bryce Pratt--his 22nd of the season--is also a single-season school record for the Beavers. Both records were previously held by Jared Gavard in 2009. “He is seeing so much and seeing it very, very well,” ARC Head Coach Jerry Haflich said about his record-setting quarterback. “He is a great decision maker, and he is just doing a great job.” The Beavers (5-0) also got another stellar performance from the defense, capped off by an interception returned for a touchdown by sophomore Terry Easmon with 51 seconds left in the first half. “I felt I was going to the house,” Easmon said. The score game the Beavers a 40-0 halftime lead. Easmon led the Beavers with seven tackles, while All-American Cortez Woods had 3.5 tackles for loss and defensive back Zane Petty intercepted two passes. The 49ers did tie the score in the first quarter at 7-7 with a touchdown pass by quarterback Jonathan Garcia on a blown coverage play by the ARC safeties. But, the Beavers responded with 47 unanswered points before Yuba City scored the final touchdown of the day with 9:30 left in the fourth quarter. ARC played without starting linebacker Brian Benson (second on team with 20 tackles) injured his ankle and, according to Haflich, is week-to-week. McAlindon finished with 243 yards passing. Michael Lindsay hauled in seven catches for 122 yards and two scores--including a 52-yard strike in the third quarter. The Beavers open up Mid-Empire Conference play next Saturday on the road in Weed, California against College of the Siskiyous.

ARC at Sierra

October 1, 2011

The American River College football moved to 4-0 on the season as they downed their cross-town rival Sierra College Wolverines (0-4) in convincing fashion 43-23. The Beavers started fast, scoring on the first play from scrimmage as Andy McAlindon connected with Justin Collins for a sixty five yard score. The tandem connected again on the second series of the game to take a 14-0 lead and then McAlindon found Michael Lindsey on the third series to take a commanding 21-0 lead. Sierra found the end zone late in the first quarter after a muffed punt return gave the Wolverines the ball at the ARC six yard line. After another blunder on a punt return provided a safety to make the score 21-9, McAlindon coupled with Raymond Dickerson on the fourth position to make the score 28-9. Sierra converted their second touchdown of the game after an offensive fumble to make the score 28-16 late in the second. McAlindon answered with a two minute drive and found Lindsey again to make the score 35-16 at the half. The scoring concluded after the third quarter as each team found the end zone with running back Devontae Booker capped a dominant run oriented series with a one yard plunge. The Beavers will face Yuba College at home next week at 1PM.

ARC vs Delta

September 24, 2011

The American River College football team continued their success executing in all three phases as the fourth ranked Beavers pounced all over the number five ranked Delta College Mustangs 51-9 on a breezy day in Sacramento. ARC once again jetted out the gates taking a commanding first quarter lead 16-3 and closed the second quarter in fashion with a 29-3 lead. The defensive performance was stout again for the third game in a row and was led by a contingent of defensive players who held the Mustangs to 221 yards of total offense. James Nunley, Zane Petty and Cody Brooks each had interceptions in the secondary. The front seven was dominant applying constant pressure as they recorded six sacks by Delvonte Hunt, Jesse Feliciano, Houston Wilfley, Caleb Cameron, Dante Wade and Terry Easmon (8 Tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL’s). The solid offensive performance was led again by Freshman Andy McAlindon who threw for three touchdowns and 402 yards with touchdown scores to Kent Craig, AJ Herlitz, and LaDon Hudson (7 catches for 125, 2TD’s). The ground game was led by the three headed monster of Bryce Pratt, DeVontae Booker, and Joe Ferguson who combined for 145 yards on the ground with Booker finding the end zone twice and Pratt adding one as well. ARC (3-0) heads to Rocklin to face the Sierra College Wolverines next Saturday at 1PM.

ARC at Los Medanos College

September 17, 2011

The American River Beavers (2-0) traveled on the road for the first time in the 2011 season and defeated the Los Medanos Mustangs (0-2) 42-7 on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, CA. The Beavers jumped out early in the first quarter taking a commanding first quarter lead 21-0 and led at the intermission 33-0 after another offensive touchdown, a field goal by Michael Cloutier and a sack in the end zone by freshmen Samson Faifili and Houston Wilfley. The score remained the same through the third quarter as the dominating defense held the Mustangs in check. The Beavers found the end zone on the ground in the fourth quarter as Devontae Booker scored his second touchdown of his career and Bobby Reeves added a field goal to cap the scoring for the night. The offense was driven again by the steady play of freshman quarterback Andy McAlindon who matched last week’s four touchdown performance while spreading the ball to four different receivers (Raymond Dickerson, Justin Collins, Joey DePalma, and Michael Lindsey) for touchdowns.

ARC vs Cabrillo

September 10, 2011

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Sacramento, the American River College Beavers defeated the Cabrillo Seahawks 57-10 in their home opener. The defending Mid-Empire Conference Champions jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and rolled to a 27-0 lead before the intermission. The Beavers (1-0) scored in all facets of the game with six touchdowns offensively, two scores on defense and a safety on special teams. The offense compiled four touchdowns through the air and 283 yards as Andy McAlindon led the offense under center with three touchdown passes to LaDon Hudson and one to Justin Collins. The balanced attack was also led by a committee of running backs (Bryce Pratt, Joe Ferguson, Michael Lindsey, Ferrence Lang, and DeVontae Booker) who rushed for 201 yards on the ground as quarterback Reggie Langford and Booker each found the end zone. Defensively the Beavers held the Seahawks (0-1) to 161 yards through the air and 26 yards on the ground as the stout defensive performance was led by Bryan Benson, Cortez Woods, and Terry Easmon. Benson led the defense with 7.5 tackles with two for loss and Easmon had 5.5 tackles and a 35 yard interception for a touchdown. All-American defensive tackle Woods added 2.5 tackles for loss and scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in the end zone. The Beavers will travel to LMC next Saturday to face the Mustangs.