REDLANDS — Cajon football coach Nick Rogers loves senior leadership, and that is especially true of his 2024 team. The Cowboys have improved over the course of the season and won their third consecutive game with a 44-13 victory over Citrus Valley on Thursday night. Cajon is 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the Citrus Belt League. Their only CBL loss was to league-leader Beaumont on October 4. Citrus Valley (2-6) is still in consideration for a playoff spot if they can beat Redlands East Valley next week. That would give the Blackhawks a 3-2 record in the CBL. “I’ve seen this senior class grow over four years,” said Rogers, who is in his 11th season as Cajon’s head coach. “What’s especially good is that the defense has come together.” The result wasn’t in much doubt from the middle of the second quarter. Senior Brandon Rivers ran for three touchdowns in the first 17 minutes of the contest. He ran for an 8-yard touchdown with 1:41 gone in the first quarter and added a 9-yard run with 33.5 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Cajon made two 2-point conversions after each score. Rivers completed his scoring with an 8-yard touchdown with 7:38 to play in the second quarter, giving the Cowboys a 23-0 lead. “We came together like a brotherhood,” Rivers said. “There’s not much arguing, and if somebody makes a mistake we pick them up.” Senior quarterback Evan Powell ran the offensive engine from that point. He tossed two touchdown passes which lifted Cajon to a 37-0 halftime lead. The final two quarters were played with a running clock. “My job is to deliver the ball to our receivers and let them run,” Powell said. “I’m not surprised at our success. We knew we could be a good team.” Powell missed some time with an injury earlier this season but hasn’t been affected since CBL play has started. Rogers said Powell’s efforts have been an important factor in the success of the Cajon offense. “We just gave the keys to Evan and let him run the machine,” Rogers said. Cajon hosts Yucaipa next week and will start the CIF Southern Section playoffs the week after that. It appeared Cajon’s overall speed was just too much for Citrus Valley. Damien Johnson provided a highlight for the Blackhawks with an 82-yard kickoff for a touchdown to open the second half. Johnson had trouble picking the ball up, but once he did he managed to race past Cajon’s kickoff coverage. “We have to clean stuff up,” Rogers said. “It’s exciting to see the defense making plays.” Powell is excited to prepare for the playoffs, using a trademarked line from boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer. “We’re ready to rumble,” Powell said.