The American River College Football team opened up its home schedule on Sep.14 when they welcomed Diablo Valley College to Beaver Stadium. The Beavers, who have won four straight NorCal Division Championships, launched its 2024 campaign in a 35-18 win at College of the Sequoias. 

DVC got off to a fast start early in this game, holding the ARC offense to little movement and securing a fumble surrendered by quarterback Jett Harris on the first drive of the game. The Beavers were fortunate to not go down early after DVC was unable to capitalize, missing a 35-yard field goal attempt.

ARC would then get the ball and go on a long draining drive that ultimately led to a 2-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper by Harris, giving the Beavers a 7-0 advantage after one. 

The team was not done there, it got a turnover off of an interception by linebacker Diallo Washington. On the ensuing drive ARC would take a 14-0 lead off of a one yard touchdown run by running back Elias Brown.

The Vikings answered back with a 1-yard touchdown run of its own, but the Beavers got the last laugh—at least in the first half—when the point after was blocked by defensive lineman Garrett Risley. 

DVC came out of the break ready to roll after its defense stepped up big, giving the Vikings offense a chance to get them back into this game. DVC would take a 21-14 lead after scoring 15 unanswered points on two long passing touchdowns, and a two point conversion.

After a few punts, ARC was in desperate need of a score and a momentum shift, Elias Brown answered the call with a long 81-yard touchdown run making it an even 21-21 game. Brown would finish the game with 21 carries, 163 yards and two touchdowns. 

DVC was unable to answer right away after another missed field goal, however its defense was there to save the day. The Vikings returned Harris’ pass back for a 60-yard pick six, giving them a 28-21 advantage with just six minutes left to play.

The Viking defense continued to play tough and continued to force punt after punt, the ARC offense was at a standstill. The Beavers were in need of a defensive stand of their own with less than two minutes to go. They came up big, forcing a punt giving ARC the ball back, the Beavers would start their potential game winning drive on their own 32-yard line with just 52 seconds remaining. 

The offense managed to get the ball all the way down to the DVC 3-yard line with just one second left, but that was as far as they would go as the final play of the game resulted in a tipped Interception thrown by Harris to seal the victory for DVC.

 “We gotta continue to manage the football on the offensive side of the football, and extend drives,” said Jon Osterhout, ARC head coach  following the 28-21 loss.

The Beavers are back at home next week when they host Fresno City College on Saturday Sep. 21.