Gaffes Make Moorpark Easy Picking : Strawberry Bowl: Five interceptions, two blocked punts doom Raiders in 55-9 loss to Cerritos.

You wouldn’t think the Moorpark College defense, among the statistical leaders in the state, could give up 28 points in one quarter or 55 in a game.

Well, don’t blame the defense in the Raiders’ 55-9 loss to Cerritos on Saturday night in the Strawberry Bowl at Cerritos College.

The Moorpark offense and special teams contributed mightily to the four second-quarter touchdowns scored by Cerritos that blew the game open.

Portrait of an ugly 15 minutes:

On Moorpark’s first possession of the quarter, which began with Cerritos leading, 7-0, quarterback Damian Delfino threw a pass to the left sideline. It was intercepted by Keith Thomas and returned 61 yards for a touchdown.

On the Raiders’ next series, Delfino threw an identical pass to the right side. This one was picked off by Andrew Hosley, who returned it 52 yards to the Moorpark one-yard line, setting up a one-yard scoring plunge by Corey Kelley.

Moorpark managed not to turn the ball over on its next possession. Instead, Robert Ralston’s punt was blocked by Keith Dykes and scooped up by Dusan Ancich in the end zone for Cerritos’ third touchdown in less than five minutes.

On Moorpark’s third offensive play after that touchdown, running back Fred Polito fumbled and the Falcons took over at the Moorpark 30, setting up another scoring run by Kelley, this one covering seven yards.

With the score 35-0 at that point, Delfino proceeded to throw interceptions on his next two attempts. He threw interceptions on four consecutive passes.

“When it rains it pours,” Delfino said. “What else can I say?

“In 13 years of football, I don’t think I’ve ever thrown more than two interceptions in a game.”

Delfino, the school’s single-season passing leader, threw five interceptions in the game. He had a respectable second half to finish 11 of 25 for 159 yards.

Moorpark (8-3) generated 273 yards of offense, although much of it came after the outcome was decided. Polito led the rushing attack with 55 yards in 11 carries. Aaron Whitley caught seven passes for 95 yards.

Moorpark gave up 279 yards, a yard below its average, but the gaffes on offensive and special teams were too much to overcome.

The Raiders had another punt blocked in the third quarter, this one giving Cerritos (8-3) the ball at the Moorpark one and setting up another easy touchdown.