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Posted: Sep 07, 2025

Citrus Opens Fast but Bobcats Pull Away, 45-28

Citrus Opens Fast but Bobcats Pull Away, 45-28
Tickets Video Box Score
Game Leaders
Saddleback
Pa: Tyler Dudden - 96
Ru: Kavaughn Clark - 151
Rec: Nicholas Gentilella - 56
Citrus
Pa: Brian Salazar Jr. - 230
Ru: Keyonn Chatmann - 34
Rec: Cameron Bateman - 107
Team Stats

No. 24 state-ranked Citrus College Football hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to No. 11 ranked Saddleback College on Saturday, September 6, where they fell to the Bobcats 45-28. 

The Owls came out strong, marching 83 yards on their opening drive and capping it with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Brian Salazar Jr. to Cameron Bateman for a 7-0 lead. Saddleback quickly answered with a 67-yard scoring drive to even things at 7-7. 

On the Bobcats' next series, defensive back Armon Hornsby made a highlight-reel interception, tipping the ball to himself and returning it 11 yards. The Owls, however, could not convert the turnover into points, and Saddleback regained the lead with its second rushing touchdown of the quarter. Salazar and Bateman struck again soon after, this time on a 67-yard sideline strike, knotting the game at 14-14 late in the first quarter. 

The second quarter turned into a shootout. Saddleback opened with a five-play, 61-yard touchdown drive before the Owls tied things again at 21-21 on a defensive gem—Elijah Ybanez's 36-yard pick-six. The Bobcats regained control with a 21-yard field goal, then added a late touchdown in the final seconds of the half to carry a 31-21 advantage into halftime. 

Saddleback extended its lead with two more rushing touchdowns in the second half—five in total on the day—while Citrus' lone answer came in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jake Denerson found tight end Keaton Morales for a 59-yard touchdown, the sophomore's first career score as an Owl, closing the gap to 45-28, which held as the final. 

The Bobcats piled up 27 first downs and 442 total yards of offense, while the Owls finished with 15 first downs and 350 yards. 

Offensive Leaders 

Defensive Leaders