The Reedley College Tigers opened Valley League action in the National Conference of Northern California community college football with a 22-14 double overtime loss to the Contra Costa College Comets in Orange Cove Saturday afternoon.

Coach Rob Hartenfels' squad will face another team that lost its conference opener this Saturday, as they face the College of the Sequoias Giants in their on-campus stadium at 1 p.m. COS fell to Fresno City College 21-13 in their conference opener while Modesto routed Sacramento City 44-3 in the other opener.

Reedley tied the Saturday contest with 35 seconds left in regulation on a 10-yard scoring pass from Josh Magana to Shemar Kirk. Hunter Pittman added the tying extra point. The Tigers' first touchdown came on a Magana pass to Antwan Ficklen late in the first quarter. Ficklen finished with seven catches for 110 yards while Kirk caught 10 for 71 yards.

Reedley got the ball first in overtime but the Contra Costa defense held the Tigers to minus-four yards. Contra Costa managed one net yard on its possession but kicker Alys Vigil was wide left on a 41-yard field goal attempt.

Contra Costa pick up positive yardage on all five of its plays in the second overtime and was aided by a third-down penalty against the Tigers. The Comets'  touchdown came on a 2-yard touchdown plunge by quarterback Shane Purcell.

The Tigers reached the comet 6-yard line, thanks to 13 yards on two carries from Tamicus Napier and a Contra Costa penalty. But Napier was stopped for no gain and Magana was sacked twice by defensive tackle EJ Thomas and threw an incomplete pass on the next to last play of the game.

Reedley's rushing attack was slowed after leading rusher T'Ky Posey went out with a leg injury. Tristan Risley came in and picked up a key first down on a fourth down play in the Tigers' first scoring drive and finished with 29 yards in eight carries.

Reedley outgained Contra Costa by a 275-237 margin with Magana completing 25 of 47 for 231 yards. The Comets converted only one of 11 third-down plays but were two of three on fourth down. The Tigers were 8 of 23 on third down.

'Our defense fought their tails off, giving up just 55 yards passing," said Hartenfels. Langston Latham led the defense with five unassisted tackles and four assists.

The Tigers went into the game as a top 20 team in the state, ranked tied for 19th by the JC Athletic Bureau

By: Will Goldbeck