RIVERSIDE — Marjok Gustafson is not trying to shoulder the whole load for Riverside Poly’s football team.
Gustafson completed 20 of 28 pass attempts for three touchdowns as Riverside Poly beat Valley View 28-10 Friday night in a pivotal Sunbelt League matchup at Wheelock Stadium on the campus of Riverside City College.
“He’s getting better each week at execution,” Poly coach Jaron Gilbert said. “He’s keeping drives going and playing mistake-free football.”
Since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the game against Ramona, Gustafson has completed 73.8 percent of his pass attempts (62 of 84) and led Poly to four consecutive wins.
“Coming back from my injury, I’m taking my time, letting the offense develop and trusting my guys to do their jobs,” Gustafson said.
It’s the second straight week that the 6-foot-2 junior quarterback has completed 20 or more passes and tossed for three touchdowns.
“He’s been moving the ball around well and making great decisions,” Gilbet said. “If he can keep doing that, we’ll be in good spots.”
With the win, the Bears (6-3 overall, 4-0 Sunbelt) snapped a three-year losing streak to Valley View and secured at least a share of the league title going into their Week 10 matchup against Arlington.
“Last year we lost to Valley View, so it means a lot to bounce back and win this one,” Gustafson said.
After Valley View went three-and-out to start the game, Gustafson was 7 of 10 and connected with four different receivers on Poly’s 12-play, 9-plus-minute opening possession.
“I’m able to trust different guys every game and it’s been great,” said Gustafson, who hit Henry for a 19-yard touchdown to finish the drive.
Valley View began the second quarter with a 30-yard field goal from Efrain Dominguez, and held a 10-7 lead after a 17-yard pass from Jesse Vega fell into Alex Ramirez’s lap in the end zone.
Gustafson and Henry linked three more times on Poly’s next possession, including a second 19-yard touchdown to retake the lead.
Henry capped Poly’s nine-play drive to start the third quarter with a 12-yard option pass to Owen Kurkoske for a 21-10 lead.
Valley View, limited to just 34 rushing yards in the first half, produced only two first downs and was shut out in the second half.
The Eagles (5-4, 3-1) went three-and-out on their only two possessions of the third quarter and could not get past midfield in the fourth.
Vega finished 12 of 22 for 148 passing yards for Valley View. He was the game’s leading rusher with 13 carries for 43 yards.
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