Community College Football : Saddleback Goes for 50th Straight Home Win

Teams usually are more difficult to beat at home.

But since 1976, Saddleback College has taken the accepted home-field advantage to the extreme.

After losing to Cypress, 15-14, in Coach Ken Swearingen’s home debut in 1976, Saddleback has won 49 consecutive home games.

When Saddleback (2-0, 3-0), ranked No. 1 in the state sports information directors’ poll, goes for No. 50 against Riverside (2-0, 3-0) at 7:30 tonight, it will be playing the team that had the last serious chance to end the streak.

In 1984, Riverside had a first and goal at the Saddleback three-yard line with 1:06 left but failed to score in four tries and lost, 23-18.

The No. 3-ranked Tigers again pose a serious threat.

The Gauchos are 35-0 on Saddleback College Field, where they have played since 1979.

Saddleback played at Mission Viejo High School from 1969 to 1978. Overall, the Gauchos are 74-4-2 at home.

The 49-game streak is not filled with come-from-behind or late-game heroics. The Gauchos tend to get in front and stay there.

Saddleback has trailed only once at halftime on Saddleback College Field. In 1982, Southwestern led, 14-13, but lost, 38-14.

But does a chance at consecutive victory No. 50, which also would be the Gauchos’ 15th consecutive victory over two seasons, hold any special meaning for Swearingen?

“No, the streak doesn’t mean anything to me,” he said. “The kids are excited, but that’s about the game. Riverside is a good team and this is an important game.

“The streak, well, that’s more a freak of scheduling or whatever. We lose just like any other team, it just seems to be on the road.”

In other Mission Conference action:

Grossmont (1-1, 2-1) vs. Orange Coast (0-2, 0-3) in LeBard Stadium, 7:30 p.m.--The Pirates aren’t expected to have quarterback Jon Nowotny, who pinched a nerve in his left shoulder in the second half of the Pirates’ 27-24 loss to Saddleback last Saturday. He will be replaced by freshman Cary Conway, who played most of the second half against the Gauchos. Nowotny also need stitches to close a cut on his chin suffered during the first half against Saddleback.

San Diego Mesa (1-1, 2-1) vs. Rancho Santiago (1-1, 2-1) in Santa Ana Stadium, 7:30 p.m.--The Dons struggled against the run last week in a 31-28 loss to Riverside partly because of injuries. Defensive tackle Salofi Hannemann did not play because of a sore back and neither did linebacker Tim Lynch (sprained ankle), but both are expected to return tonight. Riverside’s Mike Moore set a conference single-game rushing record with 305 yards in 21 carries. San Diego Mesa is led by wide receiver Myron Williams, who caught 9 passes for 65 yards in the Olympians’ 28-17 victory over Citrus Saturday.

In South Coast Conference action:

Golden West (0-0, 3-0) at Pasadena (0-0, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.--The last time the Rustlers started 3-0 was 1984. In their fourth game that year, they committed 10 turnovers and lost to Pasadena, 43-16. There could be some sloppy play tonight as both teams were off last week. Rustler Coach Ray Shackleford will start sophomore Eric Lawton at quarterback, though Bill Marler started two weeks ago against Ventura. The Golden West defense has allowed 30 points in three games.

Long Beach City (0-0, 3-0) vs. Fullerton (0-0, 1-2), in Fullerton District Stadium, 7:30 p.m.--Fullerton Coach Hal Sherbeck (200-55-6) finally won his 200th game last Saturday. The Hornets defeated Bakersfield, 17-13. Offensive leaders are freshman running back Andrew Greer (351 yards in 45 carries) and quarterback Richard Williams (55 of 91 for 747 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions). Long Beach is 3-0 for the first time since 1974.