SACRAMENTO – The Shasta College football team turned the ball over six times in Saturday's 23-7 road loss at Sacramento City College to wrap up non-conference play.
The Knights managed a season-low in first downs (6), plays (42), rushing yards (38), total yards (172) and time of possession (17:32).
"The guys played hard and kept battling," Shasta College head coach Bryon Hamilton said. "We just had too many turnovers and had a hard time moving the ball consistently. When you play good teams on the road you have to win the turnover battle and score points."
Three quarterbacks saw action and Eli Wehbey had the most success, completing 5 of 11 passes for 124 yards. Most of his yardage came on an 82-yard touchdown throw to Tyler Carey in the second quarter to pull the Knights within nine at 16-7 with 4:37 to go in the first half.
Sacramento City scored the game's first 16 points on a 26-yard field goal, a 1-yard Ben Partee run and a 2-yard LaDon Johnson run. Both touchdown drives came on short fields from a short punt and the second from a fumbled kickoff.
Both teams started the second half with three-and-outs but Wehbey was intercepted on the Knights' following drive, giving the Panthers another short field. Partee connected with Jonathan Brenes for a 16-yard score four plays later to go ahead 23-7 with 9:42 remaining in the third period.
But Shasta could never get in a rhythm offensively and only ran three plays past midfield the rest of the game. Out of the Knights' final five drives, two ended in interceptions, two three-and-outs, one turnover on downs and lost a fumble on the kickoff return.
Shasta converted 1 of 9 third down opportunities in the game.
Starting quarterback Gabe Curtis led the Knights in rushing with 43 yards on seven attempts while completing 2 of 7 passes for 10 yards and two interceptions. Miles Wilson rushed five times for 19 yards. Carey's lone reception came on his 82-yard touchdown catch and Cam Williams hauled in a team-high three passes for 24 yards.
Anthony Slayton registered a team-high 12 tackles, including 3 for a loss, and Noah Benson racked up nine tackles. Braden Rohde had seven tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and shared a half-sack with Aiden Allsop, who finished with six tackles. Nikki Kamelamela added seven tackles and Reyjon Williams blocked a kick.
Shasta is on its bye week before opening NorCal Conference play at home on Oct. 15 against American River College.
"We will go back to work and get ready for conference play. It will be nice to get back home and play in front of our fans," Hamilton said.
GAME NOTES
Shasta is 7-15-1 all-time against Sacramento City College … Tyler Carey scored his fifth receiving touchdown of the season, which gives him 10 for his career and puts him tied for 8th all-time for the Knights … Carey's five receiving TDs is tied for fourth in the state … Anthony Slayton's 42 tackles is tied for 11th in the state … Shasta has more turnovers (16) than total touchdowns (15).
Photo Credit: Mike Daly