RCC’S Bogar in position to show wares at next level
Correspondent
It was a season more than a year in the making for Riverside City College’s Esaia Bogar, and even he is stunned by the results.
Among state leaders with 11 1/2 sacks, Bogar was an unmistakable, pony-tailed powerhouse in the middle of a defensive unit that will go down as one of the best in RCC’S history.
“I am pretty surprised, to be honest, because I took a lot of time off and I thought I was going to be rusty,” Bogar said.
Led by Bogar, RCC’S defense did not allow a single point over three games in the month of October and it was his dominance in key moments that helped the Tigers claw their way from the No. 4 seed to another California Community College Athletic Association championship.
“(Bogar) was a big reason why,” RCC defensive coordinator James Kuk said. “His ability to stunt and use his footwork and his speed to make plays really made a difference for us.”
Riverside allowed an average of only 19 points per game this season, and gave up just three touchdowns to San Mateo in a 24-21 victory in the CCCAA title game at Wheelock Stadium on Dec. 9.
Bogar led RCC with four solo tackles — including a sack for minus-15 yards — and finished with eight total tackles on the day. He was selected as the game’s defensive most valuable player.
“I’ve never won anything like it,” he said.
A highly regarded talent following his senior season at Rancho Cucamonga in 2021, the 6-foot-3 edge rusher took time away from the game to focus on academics and personal growth.
“I had a friend convince me to go
RIVERSIDE >> back and give football another shot,” Bogar said. “I’m glad I did.”
Having accumulated the necessary units to transfer to a four-year university, Bogar joined the Tigers during the spring and quickly showed his quickness, strength and skill set with three tackles for losses against Long Beach in Week 1.
“We did a ton of work on strength and conditioning in the spring and summer and I credit that with helping me stay productive all season,” said Bogar, who was fourth in the state with 21 1/2 tackles for losses.
His flexibility to play anywhere in a defensive front four — he lined up at defensive tackle and defensive end this season — or at outside linebacker will provide him with more opportunities at the next level.
“He’s one of the most athletic defensive linemen anywhere at the junior college level,” RCC head coach Tom Craft said. “His ability, matched with his maturity, is off the charts.”
Bogar had sacks on back-to-back plays in the final minute to help seal a season-opening win over Long Beach, but is undecided about whether he’ll now help RCC seek back-to-back state and national titles. The Tigers were recently named co-national champions by Jcgridwire via Rivals.com, alongside Iowa Western.
“I’m hoping this season has opened a lot of doors for me so I can go on and have a successful career,” he said.
UC Riverside goalkeeper Carlos Gonzalez and winger Brendan Clark are eligible for the 2024 Major League Soccer Superdraft, the league announced on Monday.
A two-time all-big West Conference selection and the 2022 Big West Co-goalkeeper of the Year, Gonzalez totaled 14 shutouts and more than 200 saves for the Highlanders.
Clark also was a two-time all-big West pick and had seven goals and seven assists in earning NSCAA allfar
TWO HIGHLANDERS MLS ELIGIBLE >> West Region honors in 2022.
Three Highlanders have previously been Superdraft picks, including United States Men’s National Team defender Aaron Long (2014).
Playing without top scorer Destiny Jackson, the Cal State San Bernardino women’s basketball team lost 77-59 on Monday to NCAA Division II West Region No. 1 Western Washington at Coussoulis Arena.
Jaida Jackson and Olivia Lee each had 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals but it wasn’t enough as CSUSB (4-5 overall) dropped its first-ever meeting against WWU.
Destiny Jackson ranks second in the CCAA in scoring (17.5 points per game) and steals (2.75) but was unavailable despite leading the team with 18 points in a 71-57 win over San Francisco State last weekend.
CSUSB hosts Cal Poly Pomona on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.
YOTES LOSE TO WEST’S BEST >>
CBU WRESTLING GRAPPLES WITH CALENDAR >>
The California Baptist University wrestling team had a busy weekend, competing at a double dual meet in Edwardsville, Ill., while six Lancers participated unattached at the Reno Tournament of Champions.
CBU split the double dual, losing 20-15 to Southern Illinois Universityedwardsville before beating Kent State 29-19 despite wrestling without a heavyweight. Elijah Griffin (125 pounds), Hunter Leake (133) and Nathan Hass (184) all went undefeated at the meet.
Kainoa Medina (125) and Colton Silva (133) were the top CBU participants at the Reno Tournament of Championship, with both reaching the Round of 16.
The Lancers next wrestle at the Midlands Invitational at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., on Dec. 29-30. The team then faces off against Iowa State at Mt. San Antonio College on Jan. 7.
BOYS: JAVON MAJOR
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GIRLS: CARRINGTON DAVIS
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