Defense Gives Antelope Valley 23-9 Victory Over Rio Hondo

There was no defense for Antelope Valley College’s offense Saturday night.

For four quarters, the Marauders displayed why their offense is ranked last in the Foothill Conference, and it nearly cost them.

But Antelope Valley’s Jarod Dodson ended Rio Hondo’s last hope when he returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown to secure a 23-9 conference-opening victory at Antelope Valley College.

Rahshah Hayes also scored for Antelope Valley when he returned a fumble 46 yards for a first-quarter touchdown.

The victory enabled Antelope Valley to avoid its first 0-4 start since 1980. The Marauders are 1-3 overall. Rio Hondo is 1-3.

Antelope Valley committed four turnovers, but Rio Hondo failed to take advantage.

Antelope Valley’s defense, which is ranked second in the conference, held the Roadrunners to 142 yards and minus-18 yards rushing.

Antelope Valley missed several opportunities to break the game open, but Coach Brent Carder said he was not concerned.

“I didn’t expect us to put them away,” Carder said. “A team that hasn’t won can’t be expected to do that.”

Antelope Valley, which averaged 153 yards a game entering conference play, gained 189 yards against Rio Hondo.

“Their quarterback (Joel Duarte) was in a radar zone and was easy to read,” Dodson said.

“I promised my coach I’d get one and I kept my word.”