California's top QB too much for Rustlers

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Mistakes on both sides of the ball and Long Beach City's (3-2) high-powered offense contributed to Golden West's (2-3) 52-24 loss Saturday afternoon on campus.

California's top QB too much for Rustlers
September 30, 2017
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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Mistakes on both sides of the ball and Long Beach City's (3-2) high-powered offense contributed to Golden West's (2-3) 52-24 loss Saturday afternoon on campus.
 
Golden West got off to a nice start scoring the game's first 10 points. Quarterback Joe Pyle tossed a 23-yard touchdown to freshman Ben Ratzlaff after a 22-yard field goal by Saul Rodriguez. Unfortunately for the Rustlers, scoring would halt until the third quarter as Long Beach City put up 28 consecutive points.
 
This scoring run was brought on mostly by the play of former Edison High standout quarterback Grant Lowary. The Huntington Beach native collected himself after a poor first quarter by tossing two consecutive touchdowns. Lowary threw for one more score while going 25-40 with 371 yards. He continues to be the California's best passer leading with 15 touchdowns and 1,741 yards in five games. Buena Park High product Elijah Bynum ran the ball in for a 5-yard score, then defensive back Justin Prince picked off Pyle's first pass of the third quarter and took it back 60 yards for the touchdown to cap off the Vikings' scoring streak.
 
Golden West answered the pick-six with a mini scoring streak of its own. Head coach Nick Mitchell subbed in John Buksa at quarterback and it seemed to give the Rustlers' new life. After Gamon Howard extended the drive by recovering a muffed punt, Buksa handed the ball to wide receiver Xavier Smith on a reverse and ran he it in for a 2-yard score. Buksa followed that drive up by hitting Derrick Deese in the end zone with a 30-yard bomb. That score closed the gap to only four points and the Rustlers came out on defense with momentum.
 
Unfortunately, that was all the Rustlers had in them as the Vikings finished the game with 24 unanswered points. Bynum started it with a 21-yard scoring run, then a 33-yard field goal, Lowary added his third touchdown pass and a 20-yard interception return to put the nail in the coffin.
 
Your Rustlers will be off campus for three consecutive with one bye and two road games. Saturday, Oct. 28 marks the Rustlers' return to campus and the "Battle for the Bell" game against rival Orange Coast. 
 

written by: Kyle Infante, PA Announcer