To close out the hype of American River College’s 70-year anniversary Homecoming festivities, ARC’s football team took on the Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs in the ninth game of the regular season. With the Beavers taking a tight hold of an effective and domineering victory over Santa Rosa, beating them 40-14, this game had more than school spirit hinging on it.
The ARC Beavers have been hard at work recovering from a shaky start to the season that included a five-game loss streak. Despite this false start at the beginning of the season, they have proven themselves to be a formidable force among opponents and are making noticeable strides in their pursuit of another NorCal Division title win.
With the productive blending of a relentless offensive line and an effective, tireless defensive line, the ARC Beavers functioned like a well oiled machine on the field. Collaboration between running back Zarie Eastman and quarterback Frank Arcuri helped the Beavers execute an opening drive that lasted over eight minutes and ended with a 7-0 lead against Santa Rosa.
The Beavers started the second quarter of the homecoming game with a 5-yard touchdown scored by Wide receiver Luis Torres pass that doubled ARC’s lead. Santa Rosa responded with a drive that earned them their first points of the game, raising the score to 14-7. As halftime approached, the Beavers regained their stride, and with a well placed safety and field goal at the end of the second quarter brought the score up to 19-7.
Further vitalized by the break at halftime, ARC’s offense continued to bring the heat. Quarterback Arcuri tore down the field, completing a 62-yard run all while setting up Wide receiver Damarion Williams to score the team’s third touchdown of the game from 10 yards out, bringing the score up to 26-7. The defense was essential to this success, blocking Santa Rosa from making passing attacks and forcing multiple punts in the third quarter.
As the game entered its final quarter, the team continued to show calculated precision on the field. Quarterback Arcuri struck again in collaboration with wide receiver Jadon Anderson to complete a twenty-six yard touchdown pass that brought the score up to 33-7 for the Beavers, but the team wasn’t quite finished. Backup Quarterback Whitaker Kruse came in later to help propel another drive to completion, allowing Running back Hakeem Anderson to complete a two-yard touchdown pass that pushed the score up another seven points. Late in the game, Santa Rosa managed one more play against the ARC – a sixty-one yard touchdown pass – that brought the score up to 40-14, but there was no more time for any sort of grand recovery from such a staggering lead.
American River College exercised precise control and focus in every area and phase of the game. The offense, defense and special teams working in effective and succinct collaboration brought the Beavers their third league win of the season. As the conference race continues to ramp up, the Beavers will face College of the Redwoods in the final week of the conference on November 8 up in Humboldt County at 2 pm. For more information about American River College’s Football program, games and roster information see the American River College Athletics website.
