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Rustlers win on-campus debut

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Golden West College football coach Nick Mitchell called it an event.

He was referring to the atmosphere surrounding the first on-campus home game in the 50-year history of the school, which ended with a 35-23 Southern Conference victory over Palomar on Saturday.

But some might suggest Mitchell was also alluding to a strong performance by his offense, which posted a 427-423 advantage in yards to help Golden West win its second straight and retain a share of first place.

The Rustlers (3-4, 2-0 in conference) did rely on their consistently stout defense, especially in the opening half, when Palomar was held scoreless and sophomore cornerback Kory Garcia returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter.

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After back-to-back turnovers helped Palomar (3-4, 1-1) trim a 35-10 deficit to 12 points with 6:38 left in the game, Garcia intercepted in his own end zone to halt the Comets’ final possession and allow the hosts to run out the clock.

“Really, the offense, to a certain degree, carried us in the second half, when the defense really struggled,” Mitchell said.

Golden West, which came in No. 34 in the 37-school Southern California Football Assn. in yards per game (nearly 257), was able to move the chains with the ground game and through the air. But it was big plays that carried the day in front of 1,400 on rented bleachers that lined the west side of the Rustlers’ practice field.

Sophomore receiver Zimari Manning caught touchdown passes from Adam Vance of 22 and 21 yards, while freshman tailback Gabe Ford was another explosive entity for the hosts.

Ford reversed field to cover 65 yards for a touchdown that put Golden West up, 21-3, midway through the third quarter. He also raced 81 yards with a swing pass to set up the Rustlers’ final touchdown, which came with 12:38 left in the game.

“We knew it was there,” Mitchell said of an offense that had scored just seven touchdowns in the previous five games, after it produced four in a 33-0 season-opening win over Glendale. “We ran the ball well [Saturday] and when he had time, [Vance] found his receivers.”

Vance completed 17 of 24 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, while Manning had five receptions for 68 yards.

Manning’s two touchdowns came on fade patterns on which he executed one-handed catches in the end zone.

“Our offense has had potential all season long,” said Manning, who missed nearly three entire games with a knee injury in September. “We just had to pick up the slack and today was a great day to do it.”

The Golden West defense held the Comets to a field goal until quarterback Matt Romero found Syaariq Lachica on a 40-yard touchdown pass with 7:17 left in the third quarter.

Palomar netted four or fewer yards on 18 of its 25 rushing attempts. And while Romero was sacked just once, Golden West defenders batted down, deflected or intercepted nine passes.

Romero finished 23 for 47 for 299 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Golden West lost three fumbles, one of which was knocked out of Vance’s hand, which was cocked to attempt a pass, and returned 40 yards for a touchdown by Palomar defensive end Roger Mann.

“We have some patchwork to do to fix some things,” Mitchell said. “But [the on-campus] home game was unbelievable. I think it’s super rare in community college football to have an actual event, where the stands are full, people are excited and there is stuff going on.”

Golden West 35, Palomar 23

Palomar0 – 0 – 10 – 13 – 23

Golden West7 – 7 – 14 – 7 – 35

FIRST QUARTER

GWC – Garcia 31 interception return (Conaway kick), 3:03.

SECOND QUARTER

GWC – Manning 21 pass from Vance (Conaway kick), 14:55.

THIRD QUARTER

Pal – Arzola 38 FG, 9:40.

GWC – Ford 65 run (Conaway kick), 8:39.

Pal – Luchica 40 pass from Romero (Arzola kick), 7:17.

GWC – Manning 22 pass from Vance (Conaway kick), 3:19.

FOURTH QUARTER

GWC – Vance 1 run (Conaway kick), 12:38.

Pal – Mann 40 fumble return (pass failed), 8:01.

Pal – Arnold 7 pass from Romero (Arzola kick), 6:38.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

Pal – Aguero, 6-59.

GWC – Ford, 14-116, 1 TD.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

Pal – Romero, 23-47-2, 299 2 TDs.

GWC – Vance 17-24-0, 250, 2 TDs.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Pal – Ursua, 9-91.

GWC – Manning, 5-68, 2 TDs; Ford, 2-98.

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