Blackhawks shut out Cougars in CBL opener

BEAUMONT >> Citrus Valley and Beaumont played well defensively on Friday in the opening Citrus Belt League contest between two of the stronger league teams.

What separated the teams was that Citrus Valley’s defense was able to generate points. The Blackhawks scored one defensive touchdown and gave their offensive counterparts good field position to start two drives on the way to a 28-0 victory.

“Our defense played well, but we had to play on a short field and they only had 40 yards to score,” Beaumont coach Jeff Steinberg said. “They gave a look of complexity, but what they did was actually simple.”

Steinberg cited Jelani Mclaughlin, Cody Ramirez, and Brockton Lium as giving Beaumont particular trouble in the passing game.

Beaumont lost its their first game after five straight wins as Citrus Valley coach Kurt Bruich’s team mixed manto-man and zone coverages.

Mclaughlin had two interceptions, the first of which set up Lium’s rushing touchdown in the first quarter. He also intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter.

“I knew where they were going so I kind of baited them both times,” said Mclaughlin.

How did he know where the pass was going?

“Film study,” said Mclaughlin, a senior who is committed to the San Diego State football program.

Ricardo Barrios gave Citrus Valley, which is 5-1, a 21-0 lead when he returned an interception 28 yards for a score. Ramirez and Lium joined the party with interceptions of their own.

Hunter Herrera completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jordyn Harris in the second quarter.

Herrera closed out the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run with 7:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Citrus Valley’s defensive performance wasn’t only a matter of pass defense. Bruich praised the defensive line for stopping Beaumont’s running game.

“When you can stop the run with only five linemen, that makes things a lot easier,” Bruich said. “We were able to keep people fresh.”

The first CBL game was a step toward the team’s goals.

“Last week, we only allowed seven points and this week we allowed zero,” said Bruich, who is in his fifth year as Citrus Valley head coach.

“We are focused on making the playoffs and winning the first Citrus Belt League title in school history.”