Rams begin defense of National, State championships with win over Santa Rosa

Saturday's CCCAA Scoreboard (33 games)

SAN FRANCISCO - The City College of San Francisco football team continued where it left off.

The road to back-to-back titles got underway with the 2022 season opener on Saturday at George Rush Field with the Rams defeating visiting Santa Rosa Junior College by a final score of 31-20.

After a perfect 13-0 season in 2021 and a bowl game victory to close out 2019, CCSF extended its winning streak to 15 games. The Rams will now turn their attention to Week 2 opponent Sacramento City College and a game they will play on the road on Friday (Sep. 9) at 7 p.m.

On  Saturday, Santa Rosa threatened late in the second quarter but CCSF never trailed in the contest.

The Rams got on the scoreboard first, thanks to their special teams unit. CCSF's opening drive stalled at their own 41-yard line and forced the Rams to punt. Carson's Woods 28-yard kick was mishandled by the Bear Cubs and recovered by CCSF's Edward Kofuma-Henry at Santa Rosa's 29-yard line.

Six plays later quarterback Jeremy Stephens connected with David Pierro for a 20-yard touchdown to give the Rams the lead at the 7:41 mark in the first.

Stephens, who started the game in place of departed All-American QB Jack Newman, completed five straight passes during the scoring drive and at one point totaled nine straight completions. He threw for 69 yards on 9 of 12 passing before he was replaced by Matt Jenner midway through the second quarter to close out the contest.

Jenner went on to toss three touchdown passes, including a 32-yard strike for Pierro's second TD reception of the game that extended a one-point lead (14-13, 2:06) into a more-comfortable 21-13 CCSF advantage just moments before halftime.

The Rams defense turned it up in the second half, allowing just seven points the rest of the contest. Santa Rosa scored a touchdown with 9:57 to go to get within eight points at 28-20, but the Rams sealed the victory with a 19-yard field goal by Nick Hill with 5:57 remaining to close out the scoring for both teams.

Jenner was nearly perfect, completing 15 of 18 passes for 214 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also was a threat on the ground, running 10 times for 31 yards.

Pierro caught five passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns while Teneil Nichols and Ryan Daly also caught TDs.

On defense, Andrew Woolard led CCSF with seven total tackles, Jaleal Williams-Evas had four tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup while Jahvius Leui had the Rams' oly sack to go along with four tackles.

CCSF will look to carry over the momentum into Friday's contest at Sacramento City. Last year, the Rams posted a 45-0 shutout victory over the Panthers.

(CCSF Athletics)