By Ray Hamill — The Corsairs offense clearly likes playing against Hartnell College.
On Saturday afternoon, in a rematch of last year’s Grizzly Bowl game at the Redwood Bowl, College of the Redwoods defeated the Panthers 63-18.
The points tally matched that of the 2023 bowl game win (63-0) and the Corsairs punted just once all afternoon.
“We’re happy with the win,” CR head coach Jason White said. “We knew they were going to cone up here and try to get a little revenge, but I also felt confident we were ready to play. We have a veteran team.”
They certainly looked like a veteran team with another balanced performance, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
The Corsairs scored five first-half touchdowns to lead 35-18 at halftime and for the game they ran for 223 yards and passed for 281.
The CR special teams also scored a TD for the second straight week, while a much-heralded team defense settled into the game well and overcame some early mistakes with a second-half shutout.
In just his second start for the team, freshman quarterback Bryton Livingston from Eagle Point, Ore., tied a program single-game record with five touchdown passes, while also running in for one.
He got plenty of help from his offensive line, which did not allow a sack for the second straight week.
“He had a very good day,” White said of Livingston. “He was very efficient. I was impressed with his pocket presence. And it obviously helps when your offensive line hasn’t given up a sack in two games.”
Livingston, who completed 18 of 23 passes for 262 yards, spread the ball around very effectively with 10 different receivers pulling in at least one reception each.
Big-play receiver Anthony Aguirre had two catches for 65 yards, both of them going for TDs, while former Del Norte Warrior Kaleb Price led all CR receivers with four catches for 82 yards.
Newcomer Glen “Phat” Williams also had a big day as he continues his very impressive start to his CR career with two touchdowns for the second straight week.
The Alabama native scored CR’s second TD of the day on an 18-yard reception from Livingston in the opening quarter and would add an 86-yard punt return for a score in the second half.
Jaydan Burns and Paxton Page each also had a TD reception.
The Corsairs were every bit as efficient running the ball and had a 6.4 per carry average with nine different players involved.
Isaiah Hemmings led the ground attack and racked up 110 yards on a team-high 13 carries.
Livingtson, Hank Ollenberger and Auggie Wilrich each also ran in for a TD.
With the game well in hand, the Corsairs went deep to their bench late in the afternoon and the production did not drop off.
“Our second-string offense came in in the fourth quarter and had a 16-play drive, and that was very satisfying,” White said. “I was proud of those guys for executing.”
Some mental mistakes by the CR defense in the first half allowed the visitors maintain some drives, but the unit grew into the game and settled down as the afternoon went on.
Dating back to last year, the CR defense has shut out its opponents in 17 of the last 20 quarters.
“Just the overall play of the offense was pretty incredible,” White said. “And defensively I’m proud of the kids. (Hartnell) moved the ball on us and we had to settle down and we did.”
Hartnell quarterback Adam Schaffer caused some problems for the home team with his athleticism and was “really good,” White said.
Schaffer completed 9 of 17 passes for 97 yards, two TDs and an interception, and he also rushed for 98 yards and a TD on 14 carries, including leaping over a CR defensive player on his way to the end zone.
As you would expect in a 45-point win, there were several standouts on both sides of the ball for the home team.
Former Del Norte Warrior Conner Long had a big game for the second straight week and has wasted no time fitting in on the D-line.
Long finished with a game-high nine tackles, including a game-high eight solo.
He also had a sack and two tackles for a loss.
Ian Richter added seven total tackles for CR, as well as forcing and recovering a fumble.
Jireh Loane added two and a half tackles for a loss, while Noah Oden had two, and Logan Malinowski had a sack and a tackle for a loss.
The Corsairs will hit the road again next week for a tough matchup at Monterey Peninsula, in a showdown that could have some bowl game implications later in the season.
“It was a good week and now we have a huge game against Monterey Peninsula next week,” White said. “We’re 2-0, they’re 2-0. We beat them last year and they’re going to be fired to play us.”
