Bear Cubs handed first conference loss, 34-21

City College of San Francisco handed visiting Santa Rosa Junior College’s football team its first loss of the season on Saturday, 34-21.

The Bear Cubs came in ranked No. 2 in the state while CCSF was No. 9.

The Rams, the defending state champs, led all the way in the Bay 6 Conference match-up and enjoyed a six-point advantage at halftime.

Santa Rosa was plagued by turnovers, including four interceptions of Mitch Hood. The Rams also scored a defensive touchdown when tackle Maka Tamellau returned a fumble recovery 25 yards.

“You can’t give a good team like San Francisco freebies,” Bear Cubs coach Lenny Wagner said. “We just didn’t play very well. We allowed three 70-yard pass plays that also hurt.

“The kids tried hard. We didn’t lose because of lack of effort.”

Santa Rosa came in with the fifth-best defense in the state, allowing 253 yards per game. However, CCSF racked up 425 yards.

Meanwhile, the Bear Cubs gained only 322 yards.

CCSF quarterback Lavell McCullers had a big afternoon as he threw for three touchdowns and 343 yards.

Easop Winston caught two of the scoring passes and Jaylend Jones scored the game’s final points with a 59-yard catch in the final seconds of the third quarter.

“This is a great team win,” Rams coach Jim Collins said. “We played excellent in all three phases of the game and made big plays when we needed to. We’re excited that we’re playing great team football when we need to the most.”

Santa Rosa (6-1, 1-1) hosts conference rival Diablo Valley on Saturday at 5 p.m.