CULVER CITY – The 2022 West Los Angeles College football season got off to a rough start. On Saturday, the Wildcats kicked off the first of a 10-game schedule with a 42-20 loss to visiting San Diego Mesa College.

Mesa stormed out to a 28-0 lead at halftime before West LA's offense finally came alive over the final two quarters to outscore the Olympians 20-14. But the deficit was too much to overcome.

Freshman Khamari Jones scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the Wildcats. His two-yard touchdown reception from sophomore quarterback Cassell Wiggins with 6:11 to go in the third quarter capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive while his nine-yard TD run at the 11:11 mark in the fourth wrapped up a seven-play, 69-yard drive.

The Wildcats closed out the scoring late in the fourth when freshman quarterback David Oliveros tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to freshman Jamondata Smith. Oliveros finished the game up under center for West LA and completed 7 of 12 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. Wiggins threw for 102 yards with a TD on 14 of 18 passing.

Malik Norman led the Wildcats on the ground, rushing for 99 yards on 15 carries. Riley Rudolfo had six catches for 39 yards while Orion Naulls totaled five receptions for 64 yards.

Wiley Purry had a team-high eight tackles on defense for West LA and Christopher Gonzalez totaled four tackles and had a sack.

West LA now turns its attention for Week 2 opponent LA Pierce College. The Wildcats travel to Woodland Hills next Saturday (Sep. 10) for a 6 p.m. game.