The Corsairs turned in their most impressive defensive performance of the season at home to Los Medanos on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn’t enough, as the Redwoods offense failed to break 20 points for the second straight week in a 21-18 loss.

With the loss, their third straight, the Corsairs drop to 2-5 on the season and 1-2 in the American Pacific-7 conference, while Los Medanos improves to 3-3 and 1-2.

“It was by far the best performance by our defense all year,” CR head coach Frank Borba said. “We pitched a shutout in the first half. Our defense played by far well enough to win this football game.”

Unfortunately, neither the offense or special teams did.

The CR offense got a pair of TD runs by running back Elijah Hicks, who has impressed this season, and the Corsairs added a 27-yard field goal by Roberto Ortiz.

But four turnovers and three snaps that sailed over the quarterback’s head in the red zone all proved costly, as the Corsairs failed to ignite offensively for the second straight week.

On special teams, the Corsairs gave up a 97-yard kickoff return for a TD to start the second half, seeing an 8-0 halftime lead quickly disappear.

“We had the game in complete control,” Borba said. “I’ve got to believe in my heart of hearts if we tackle him, Redwoods wins this game.”

Ortiz’s field goal gave CR the lead again late in the third quarter, but the visitors added back-to-back TDs early in the fourth quarter to take the lead and were able to hold on despite a late TD run by Hicks.

Hicks finished with 100 yards on 17 carries.

Defensively, the Corsairs were impressive, with lineman Dakota Moore particularly dominating.

“Dakota Moore played an unbelievable first half at defensive end,” Borba said. “It was probably one of the best halves I’ve ever seen by a Redwoods player at that position.”

Moore had 15 tackles, including five for a loss, as well as a sack.

Borba credited defensive coordinator Esteban Avila with a great game plan.

“He had these kids ready to play,” Borba said.