It’s the game that Fresno City College football players mark on their calendar.
After playing football for the past three months, the Rams most important game was this past weekend as the Rams pounded the Reedley Tigers 48-13 to extend the stay of “the Pump” another year in Fresno.
The Pump Trophy carries a significant status and “bragging rights” for whatever team possesses it during that year. The idea for the Pump came from two former State Center Community College District board members, Harry Hiraoka and the late Lynn Ford.
After beating Reedley 33-6 last season, the Rams are glad to hold onto the Pump for another year.
“We battled and played until the end,” Rams head coach Tony Caviglia said, “It’s good to keep the pump here in Fresno.”
The Rams quarterback Lance Orender, who threw for a total of 212 yards, enjoyed the significance of the game and having secured the Pump for another year.
“I feel good about the Battle of the Pump,” Orender said. “We won it. We’ll win it every year.”
The rivalry between FCC and Reedley reaches further than the goalposts of the football field.
“Across the board in all sports, Fresno City and Reedley are very competitive,” said FCC Athletic Director Susan Yates.
FCC and Reedley have become such fierce rivals because they share the same recruiting territory for their athletic programs.
“It’s a fun rivalry,” Yates said. “No matter what the record of each school is coming into that game, or who’s favored, it is always a great game filled with emotion, fun, competition, enthusiasm, and a great day for the district.”
The game was also significant in the fact that it was the sophomore player’s last home game.
“We’re going to miss them. They’re a great group of guys and they’ve really stepped up and showed great leadership,” Caviglia said.
The Rams, despite 12 penalties and 3 turnovers, racked up 523 yards on offense, and compiled eight sacks on defense.
“Obviously Fresno was the better team,” said Tigers head coach Randy Whited.
Rams linebacker Anthony Elliott made four of the eight sacks the Rams racked up in the game. Elliott gives credit to the entire defense that did their jobs that helped him make his plays.
“It was a total defensive effort,” Elliott said. “The holes were there. We watched film on them all week. We knew their weaknesses up front.”
The Rams jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead after Orender threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to running back Leighton Settle.
After swapping turnovers, FCC scored again as Orender threw another 30-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Castillo to extend the Rams lead 20-3.
The Rams and Tigers traded turnovers again, this time with Reedley capitalizing with an interception by safety Jovanny Carvahal who returned it for a 25-yard touchdown that decreased the Rams lead 20-10.
The offensive stalemate continued until the Tigers found themselves in field goal range before the end of the first half. Reedley couldn’t capitalize and the score remained 20-10 at half.
The second half opened with a touchdown by the Rams on their first drive. After a 26-yard run by running back Larry Overstreet, the Rams were set up on the one yard line. Quarterback Orender then drove the ball in for a touchdown and a 27-10 lead for FCC.
After a field goal by Reedley, Overstreet threw for a 37-yard touchdown to increase the lead 34-13.
The Rams capped the scoring for the day with a James Holland 42-yard touchdown to make it 48-13.
FCC will now play in the NorCal championships at the Hawaiian Punch Bowl on Nov 27 at 1 p.m.
Having not played in the championship game since 2006, the Rams will square off against familiar foe City College of San Francisco, a team that is currently ranked No. 1 in the state.
“It’s going to be a heck of a game,” Caviglia said. “I know they’re a very good football team. I like how we’re playing right now. I like that we’re playing good at the end of the year.”
“We got some unfinished business up there,” Elliott said. “They got us last year, and I think we got a great shot this year. I love this team and I think we’re going to do it. I think we got what it takes.”
