Moorpark Gets 3 Fumbles and Pierce Takes a Tumble : College football: Raiders record a 25-7 WSC victory behind a powerful defensive performance.

Taking advantage of a strong defensive effort, Moorpark College defeated Pierce, 25-7, in a Western State Conference game Saturday night at Pierce.

The Raiders (3-1, 3-0 in conference play) had three sacks, recovered three Pierce fumbles and intercepted a pass, repeatedly frustrating the Brahmas.

Pierce (2-2, 2-1), despite another strong performance by quarterback Davis Delmatoff, couldn’t quite capitalize on the few opportunities Moorpark allowed.

Delmatoff completed 23 of 40 passes for 219 yards, but Moorpark held the Brahmas to minus-nine yards on the ground.

The freshman quarterback from Hart, who threw his first interception of the season, has completed 65 of 131 passes for 641 yards in four games.

Moorpark parlayed a terrific play by defensive back Doug Varner to produce its first score.

Varner blocked a 37-yard field-goal attempt by Doug Sidwell and Jaime Sandel picked up the loose ball to give the Raiders possession at the Pierce 45-yard line with 7 minutes 2 seconds on the clock in the first quarter.

The Raiders reached the end zone seven plays later, with running back Gil Carrillo scoring on a two-yard run with 4:15 to play in the period to give Moorpark a 7-0 lead.

Pierce let a scoring chance slip away moments later.

The Brahmas marched to the Moorpark two-yard line on the ensuing possession, but Delmatoff fumbled at the goal line on a bootleg attempt on second and goal. The Raiders recovered the fumble in the end zone.

On the first play of the second quarter, Pierce’s David Doyle returned a punt 35 yards to the Moorpark 19-yard line to set up his team’s first touchdown.

Running back Michael Justin ran into the end zone from eight yards two plays later, bouncing off three Raider defenders on his way to tying the score, 7-7.

A Pierce turnover, one of four committed by the Brahmas, gave Moorpark the ball at the Pierce 14-yard line with 10:46 remaining in the second quarter. Two plays later, on third down and five from the nine, quarterback Todd Preston connected with wide receiver Alex Estrada in the end zone to give the Raiders a 14-7 cushion.

Moorpark increased the lead to 16-7 with 3:05 left before the half when linebacker Chris Griggs tackled Delmatoff in the end zone for a safety.

The Raiders added a 32-yard field goal by Steve Sabbe as time ran out in the half.

Moments before the field goal, Moorpark had a five-yard touchdown pass from Preston to Zack Sutton nullified because of a holding penalty.

The second half moved along quietly until the first play of the fourth quarter, when the Moorpark defense inflicted more damage.

With Pierce in Moorpark territory, Delmatoff fumbled and linebacker Jarrett Lee scooped up the ball and scampered 37 yards for a touchdown and the last points of the night.

The Brahmas drove to the Moorpark 10-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but Delmatoff was sacked for a seven-yard loss on third and 10 from the 11 and then threw an incomplete pass on fourth down.

Preston completed nine of 20 passes for 132 yards and Carrillo led all rushers with 78 yards in 19 carries.

Doyle had eight receptions for 122 yards, including a 48-yard reception from Delmatoff in the first quarter.

Pierce outside linebacker Chris New had three of the four sacks registered by the Brahmas and defensive tackle Jeff Sardell had the other.