Vaqueros will host Moorpark in Beach Bowl

SBCC received its second bowl invitation in the last three years on Sunday and the Vaqueros will host Moorpark in the Beach Bowl on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Vaqueros (7-3, 3-2) tied for second in the American Pacific League, losing to undefeated L.A. Valley 47-35 on Saturday at La Playa Stadium. Moorpark (5-5, 3-2) tied for second in the National Northern League and is coming off a 65-22 win at Santa Monica.

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"We're honored, pleased and proud for our guys, who worked so hard to overcome adversity," said Vaquero coach Craig Moropoulos. "We're a little banged up but there are no negatives this week. It's all positive and we're going to go with the next man up and have some fun."

This is the 15th bowl appearance for the Vaqueros and their first since 2014 when they dropped a 22-19 decision at Cerritos in the Garden State Bowl. It will be their first home bowl game in 33 years, since the 1983 Mission Bowl.

Moorpark and SBCC were supposed to play in the 1997 WSC Bowl at La Playa but it was cancelled by a flooded field.

This will be the first meeting between the former WSC rivals in five years. Moorpark leads the series 25-14-2, winning the last three games and six of the last seven.

Both teams are solid in the run game with the Vaqueros fifth in the state at 213.4 yards per game and Moorpark ninth at 209.3. SBCC sophomore Cedric Cooper was third in the APL with 691 rushing yards and 10 TDs. Moorpark's Isaiah Johnson is No. 9 in the state with 856 yards and 10 TDs.

Moorpark piled up 801 total yards in Saturday's 65-22 win, rushing for 510 yards and six touchdowns against a Santa Monica team that went 1-9 after leaving the APL to join the National Northern League.

SBCC and Moorpark had two common opponents this year. The Raiders beat L.A. Pierce 25-6 in the season opener on Sept. 3 and the Vaqueros whipped the Brahmas 51-10 two weeks ago. The Vaqueros dropped a 47-40 decision at Ventura in their season debut. The Raiders fell 42-28 at Ventura on Oct. 29.

Three teams from the Vaqueros' league earned bowl bids. L.A. Valley (10-0) will host Southwestern (9-1) in the American Division Championship Bowl while Antelope Valley (6-4) hosts Victor Valley (6-4) in the High Desert Bowl.

Ticket prices for the Beach Bowl are $12 general admission and $8 for identified students, faculty, staff, senior citizens age 60 and over, and children less than 12 years of age.

The game will be Live Streamed on the Internet or you can listen to John Martony's play-by-play for free at AM 1290 radio or around the world by clicking here.