Turnovers cost the Cerritos College football team its season opening game against Los Angeles Harbor College on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Falcon Stadium by a score of 35-20

Cerritos College sophomore running back Donald Livingston rushed for 107 yards on 18 carries while sophomore quarterback Morgan Fennell threw for another 226 yards but it was not enough as the Falcons could not stop the L.A. Harbor College offense.

The loss was the Falcons second consecutive opening loss to Harbor College of Los Angeles as the Falcons dropped a 28-23 decision to the Seahawks a year earlier.

The Cerritos College football team’s offense did amass 453 in total offensive yards to Harbor’s 393, but the accumulation of three offensive turnovers and inability to find the end zone on several long drives haunted the Falcons.

Fennell completed 14 of 30 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“We just have to work harder on every aspect…go back to the drawing board, watch the film and (see) what we can actually do better,” He said after the game.

He concluded with the time welcomed phrase, “It’s a team effort.”

Responding to his night’s rushing performance, Livingston said he was, “a little sore,” and that for next week he would, “pay a little more attention to details… run a little harder, keep his knees and his head up.”

Falcons head coach Frank Mazzotta said after the game, “they (L.A. Harbor College) were so much better prepared than we were, it was ridiculous.”

“We worked this as a scrimmage and now we can see where we have to make some changes in people personnel.”

Seahawks quarterback Max Baiz commented on the play of both teams, saying, “I know we made a lot of mistakes on both sides…but it was still nice to come out with a victory.”

Coach Peabody of the Seahawks replied regarding his preparation for this game,” You’ know, we didn’t do a whole heck of lot different than last year… we threw the ball much more effectively…the run package was the same.”

In praise of Cerritos College, he added, “We have so much respect for Cerritos College’s Football program. We know they are a top program not only in California, but in the country. This is a game we will hold in high standard…it’s a real special victory for us.”

Defensively, the Cerritos College football team were led by Theodore Chambers who was credited with 10 total tackles including 4 solo.

The other half of a family duo on the team, Safeties Coach Jim Chambers said of the night’s effort, “we did well. We made adjustments.“

When asked about his plans for next week, he simply stated, “Mouthpiece in, chin strap fastened, we got Fullerton right in front of us. They do everything right in front of us.”

His frustration was evident when he added,” we lost to a team we shouldn’t have lost to… same thing last year and we ended up winning the conference.”

The 0-1 Falcons look to bounce back on Saturday, Sept. 8 during a 1 p.m. road contest against 1-0 rival Fullerton College.