Norco not up to speed vs. Santiago

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It’s hard to stand and watch Joshua Nakamoto stand and watch.

Nakamoto, who was expecting big things this season as a second-year starting running back for Norco, dislocated his ankle on the first play of the season against Crenshaw and is still about a month away from returning.

‘We’ll be fine,’ he said softly. ‘It’s not any one person, it’s a team effort. Hence, the word, ‘team.’ ‘

Still, the Cougars could sure use Nakamoto tonight against Corona Santiago. Norco, ranked No. 18 in the Southland by The Times, trails the hosts, 14-7, at the the half.

The Cougars took a 7-0 lead on a 59-yard touchdown run by Joshua Foley but allowed two tochdowns in the final three minutes of the half. That’s more points than Norco has allowed in any of its last four games.

The Cougars don’t have the offense, especially without Nakamoto, to bounce back from a large deficit, so it’s important for them that they get some points on their first drive of the second half.

- Dan Arritt