Bear Cubs ready to gnaw on Redwoods

If Santa Rosa Junior College's offense doesn't look better this week, it may never improve.

A week after its sputtering season-opening performance in a 12-6 win against Reedley, the Bear Cubs' offense looks to get healthy Saturday night when it visits a familiar punching bag: College of the Redwoods.

SRJC, ranked No. 9 in the state, enters on an eight-game winning streak against Redwoods during which it has outscored the Corsairs 392-71. Last year, the Bear Cubs beat Redwoods, 62-7. In the past six years, they have beaten them by a combined score of 308-28.

Yes, the Bear Cubs figure to improve on their five-turnover, 12-penalty performance against Reedley in which they scored fewer than 20 points for the second time in their past 76 games.

Despite the lack of recent competition against the Corsairs, SRJC coach Keith Simons said he's given no thought to dropping them from the schedule. The series began before he arrived in Santa Rosa in 1996, and there are many ties between the schools.

Perhaps the Bear Cubs haven't gained much from steamrolling Redwoods this decade. But they hope to get something tonight.

“We need to play well,” Simons said. “We need a confidence boost.”

Bear Cubs sophomore quarterback Grayson Galloway, one of 10 members of the offense making his first college start last week, could use a shot in the arm. Galloway completed 20 of 38 passes for 238 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

“That was an eye-opener for him Saturday,” Simons said. “There's no way to sugarcoat what happened with him. But he came back on Monday ready to go, with a positive attitude, and he had a good week of practice. ... I think you'll see a different quarterback (today).”

Redwoods, which went 4-6 last year, opened the season last week with a 33-7 loss to Siskiyous.

You can reach Staff Writer Eric Branch at 521-5268 or eric.branch@pressdemocrat.com.