The Kings of California Junior College Football start their title-defense run this week.
This Friday the CCSF Rams (National Rank No. 2, State Rank No. 1) travel to Oakland for a Friday-night gridiron showdown with their longtime cross-bay rival Laney College Eagles.
The Rams come into the season as a heavy favorite to repeat as state and national champions. A big reason for this is due to an impressive group of sophomores returning from last year’s championship squad. Elliot Baker, the No. 1 overall junior college offensive lineman recruit, will anchor an imposing line that will once again dominate the trench. Wide receiver Easop Winston, who posted 62 receptions and a team-leading 12 touchdown receptions during his freshman year, and running back Namane Modise, who captured the CCCAA State Title Game MVP with an epic 251-rushing-yard performance, will form a deadly offensive play-making duo. On the defensive side, ball-hawking defensive back Deante Fortenberry, who finished last season second in the state in interceptions with seven, returns to fortify a formidable Rams defense.
“The expectation at City College is always to win every game, and the ultimate goal is to be the California State Champion at the end of the year. But that journey starts one game at a time, and it begins this weekend against a very formidable Laney team” second-year Head Coach Jimmy Collins said.
“It’s one of the more impressive Laney rosters I have seen in recent years. They have a lot of great athletes and an impressive group of running backs. This is a great challenge for our team to start the season on the road, on a Friday Night, and in front of their fans. We are excited for the opportunity.”
The last time the Rams and Eagles faced one another was last September at CCSF. In that matchup, the Rams defeated Laney 28-0. CCSF reeled off 401 yards of total offense (175 yards passing and 226 yards rushing). On the other side of the ball, the Rams stifling defense held the Eagles to just 183 yards of total offense. The Rams will look to repeat this performance against Laney; however, playing on the home-field of their east-bay rival and in front of their fan base will make it a tough task ahead for the defending champs.
The Sept. 2 matchup figures to be a showdown between the Rams stout defense and the Eagles running attack.
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