seahawks unable to avenge early season loss, fall to riverside
The Harbor football team entered the Golden State Bowl with plenty of momentum, winning its last three games decisively to earn a spot in bowl participation. However, a rematch of an early season Central Conference loss to Riverside was not in Harbor's favor, as four interceptions buried the Seahawks in a 34-23 loss to the host Tigers Saturday evening.
Harbor outgained Riverside 429-401 for the game, but found four drives stalled by interceptions, three of them coming from quarterback Max Baiz, who did not play in the previous meeting between the teams. Baiz finished 10-of-22 for 169 yards, while throwing a 24-yard touchdown strike to receiver Lonnie Turner, who fumbled in the end zone but was bailed out by running back Dewaun Wesley's fumble recovery in the second quarter for Harbor's first lead of the game at 20-14.
Like the previous meeting, the Seahawks led at halftime, this time a higher scoring affair at 20-17 following a 17-3 second quarter run after trailing 14-3 following the first quarter. Wesley punched in a seven-yard touchdown in the second quarter and finished with 111 yards on 18 carries. Quarterback Brandon Edwards, who started the first meeting, played several snaps but struggled to a 9-of-21, 114-yard performance with an interception.
Receiver Ryan Hyman managed to top 1,000 receiving yards, becoming the first Harbor receiver to do so since Dwayne Frampton in 2009. Hyman caught seven passes for 138 yards, while kicker/punter Matt Mengel put together another critical outing with three field goals made, the longest from 43 yards out.
Linebacker Joe Walker finished with a game-high nine tackles, while defensive back Karon Walker had seven tackles and an interception.
Harbor will look to build from a tough and hard-working season after finishing third in the Central Conference this year, with hopes for a fifth consecutive bowl appearance on the horizon for 2013.