Special-teams flubs cost SRJC in 31-20 loss to Laney College

Special teams let Santa Rosa JC down Friday night in Oakland as Laney College built a large lead and then held off the Bear Cubs, 31-20.

The home team scored three times in the first half on botched plays by SRJC.

Early in the first quarter of the non-conference game, Laney defenders blocked a Santa Rosa punt at the 5-yard line and scored. The second miscue was a fumbled punt and the third was a poor punt that netted five yards.

Taking advantage of all three mistakes, the Eagles built a 17-0 lead after one quarter and increased the margin to 24-7 at halftime.

Santa Rosa scored all its points in the fourth quarter, but by then it was too late to threaten the 2014 Valley Conference champions.

“It was like we were sleepwalking early in the game,” disappointed coach Lenny Wagner said. “We weren’t able to recover from those mistakes.”

When the Bear Cubs finally got on the scoreboard, it was former Analy receiver Kerr Johnson, Jr. catching a 45-yard pass from Vincent Jefferies.

The second score came when LaRenzo Sterling hauled in a tipped pass on a play that started at the 35-yard line.

The final touchdown came on a 2-yard draw play by reserve quarterback Mitch Hood.

If there was a bright spot for Santa Rosa, it was the play of the defense.

“Take out the mistakes by special teams and Laney only scored two touchdowns,” Wagner said. “Our defense played well all night.”

Things don’t get easier for the Bear Cubs. Next Saturday, they travel to Visalia, where College of the Sequoias will provide the opposition.

Sequoias is ranked one of the top 10 teams in the state.

Santa Rosa is now 2-2.