Redding Rancheria Player of the Game: Shasta Defense

Shasta’s defense has performed as one of the better units in the state this year, especially against the run.

But the Knights turned in their best defensive performance in Saturday’s 31-6 win over rival College of the Siskiyous in wet field conditions, recording six turnovers and two sacks to earn Redding Rancheria Player of the Game honors. It was the most takeaways in a game for the Knights since Shasta forced seven in a 42-6 win over Foothill on Nov. 5, 2016.

All Knights coverage is presented by Shasta Orthopaedics, Tri Counties Bank and Redding Rancheria.

Shasta’s defense had 11 takeaways through the first five games of the season and added six to that total – two interceptions and four fumbles. The interceptions came from CJ Catia and Maurice Outten, the latter of which now has five interceptions on the season and is tied for the state lead.

Noah Benson, Tavian Wallace, Aiden Phillips and Isaiah Moore each forced a fumble and Anthony Slayton, Wallace, Lucas Cloyd and Nikki Kamelamela each recovered a fumble. Bladen Stankey recorded 1.5 sacks.

The Knights held their opponent to a season-low 187 yards, a season-best 1 for 11 on third down and limited the Eagles to 60 yards rushing, their fifth opponent held under 75 yards rushing in the game.

“I was happy with how our defense played,” Shasta College head coach Bryon Hamilton said. “We stopped the run, forced a bunch of turnovers and didn’t allow any big plays.”

Shasta’s defense was on the field for 12 possessions and it resulted in six takeaways, forced three turnovers on downs, and two punts before allowing one touchdown on the Eagles’ final drive with the game out of reach.

OTHERS:

Toren Tuttle | QB – 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD – 105 total yards
Cameron Williams | WR – 2 catches, 38 yards, 2 TDs
Bladen Stankey | DE – 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks

Redding Rancheria Player of the Game

Week 1 – Tyler Boston | RB | So.
Week 2 – Maurice Outten | RB | Fr.
Week 3 – Jayden Gordon | RB | Fr.
Week 4 – Gavin Dobson | QB | Fr.
Week 5 – Gavin Dobson | QB | Fr.
Week 6 – Shasta Defense