Just one more finger in the air.
American River College head football coach Jerry Haflich has been holding up his fingers after each win over the last month to indicate to his players how many games left until the team reaches their “dream” of an undefeated regular season.
If all goes as planned for the Beavers on Saturday, Haflich will just throw up a fist in exhilaration.
ARC host Sacramento City College for the final regular season game Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 p.m. at Beaver Stadium.
Riding a bit higher this week after JCGridiron.com put the Beavers (9-0, 3-0 MEC) in the top-10 nationally at no. 9 in the nationally rankings for community college football.
A win over the Panters will give ARC the first undefeated regular season since 2005.
“I hope we come out firing on all cylinders,” Haflich said.
Beating the Panthers also gives the Beavers a win over a regional rival, and a chance at the first 11-0 season in school history. The Beavers (no. 5 in Calif.) will host the NorCal Central Division bowl game versus the winner of Saturday’s game between Chabot (8-1, no. 8 in Calif.) and De Anza (7-2, no. 16).
Devonte Booker will look to continue his torrid pace over the last month running the ball for ARC. Booker has averaged 141 yards rushing per game in the last four game and leads the team with 13 total touchdowns this season. Despite still being a part of a three-running back set, Booker is 15th in the state in rushing yards per game and is third in yards per carry (8.7).
Freshman Andy McAlindon (2472) is only 145 passing yards away from breaking the school single-season record of 2616 yards set by Jared Gavard in 2009. McAlindon is also just one touchdown pass away from the all-time school record of 32 set by Todd Larson in 1986.
Offensively as a squad, the Beavers can break the single-season school record for most total offensive yards and passing yards in a season could both be broken Saturday—both both records set in 2009.
The defense has played a very balanced system for the Beavers this season, but sophomores Terry Easmon (13.0 tackles for loss) and all-american Cortez Woods (15.5 tfl, 6.5 sacks) have been the statistical and emotional leaders. Woods, despite missing last week’s game at Mendocino College, is eight in the state in tackles for loss. Freshman Samson Filfili, despite suffering a neck injury on Oct. 15 on the road is third on the team in tackles (42) and tackles for loss (7.5).
The athletic department and football coaching staff is hosting an Alumi bar-b-que at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the north section of the parking lot at Beaver Stadium prior to kickoff.