Conference Bowl-Bound Golden West Rallies to Beat El Camino

Seldom-used Jon Ostler’s second reception of the season was a 22-yard touchdown pass that gave Golden West College a come-from-behind 28-24 victory over El Camino Friday night in Costa Mesa’s LeBard Stadium.

Earlier in the day, the Rustlers (5-2, 8-2) learned that they were assured of a berth in the Southern Cal Conference Bowl to be played at either College of the Desert or Los Angeles Valley, depending on who wins the conference.

The win snapped the Rustlers’ two-game losing streak and moved them a half-game behind first-place Cerritos, which plays tonight against Mt. San Antonio. If Cerritos loses, Golden West and Cerritos end the season as co-conference champions.

The Rustler winning drive started after defensive back Rene Oliver intercepted El Camino quarterback Dan Speltz on the Rustler 25 with three minutes left. It was Oliver’s fifth interception of the season.

On first down, Golden West quarterback Eric Lawton passed 40 yards to Stacy Parker, giving the Rustlers a first down on the Warriors’ 35.

Running back Carl Satterfield then rushed three times to put the ball on the 22, where Lawton passed to Ostler for the winning score.

El Camino was given an last chance to win when Golden West was called for too many men on the field on the final play.

After the penality, the Warriors (3-4, 3-7) had a first down on the Golden West 22 but Speltz’s final pass fell incomplete.