THE BIG GAME

Saddleback vs. Capistrano Valley

The records--Saddleback (4-0), Capistrano Valley (3-1)

The site--Capistrano Valley High School

Saddleback update--The Roadrunners have won 14 straight spanning two seasons, the longest winning streak in Orange County. Coach Jerry Witte has stuck to the same offensive philosophy that brought Saddleback a Central Conference championship last season. The Roadrunners run. They’ve averaged 71 yards passing in four games. Running the option out of a power-I set, Saddleback has had 13 players score touchdowns. “They run and run and run,” said Dick Enright, Capistrano Valley coach. “And if you don’t get in their way, they’ll run right over you.” Defensively, Saddleback returns its starting secondary from last season.

Capistrano Valley update--Capistrano Valley, on the other hand, is a pass-oriented team. The Cougars average more than 210 yards passing per game and quarterback Todd Marinovich has thrown for eight touchdowns. Marinovich’s prime receivers are Brent Parker, who has caught 17 passes for 260 yards, and Randy Stark (14 receptions for 198 yards). Running back Tom Adams has scored five touchdowns and kicker Kevin McKelvey has kicked five field goals, four in Capistrano Valley’s 34-0 rout of Estancia last week. Marinovich, a junior, is a good bet to set the all-time Orange County record for career passing yardage tonight. He needs 81 yards to pass Newport Harbor Shane Foley’s mark of 5,264 set during the 1984-85 seasons.

Key to the game--Marinovich will have difficulty piercing the tough Saddleback secondary for anything more than short passes. Saddleback has always relied on speed for success and that speed figures to cause problems for Capistrano Valley.

Consensus--Capistrano Valley has traditionally had troubles with quick and physical teams such as Saddleback. The Roadrunners’ speed will hound Marinovich and put a lot of pressure on the Cougars’ defense. Saddleback by a touchdown.