Orange County Community College Football : Swearingen Goes for Win No. 200 as Saddleback Meets Southwestern

Ken Swearingen, the Saddleback College football coach, will go for career victory No. 200 tonight at 7:30 when Saddleback plays at Southwestern in a Mission Conference game.

Swearingen (199-51-6) started coaching at El Camino College in 1962 and had a 98-31-5 record there in 14 seasons. In 1976, he came to Saddleback, where he is 101-20-1.

His 1985 Gaucho team finished with an 11-0 record and shared a national championship. Overall, Swearingen-coached teams have won 11 conference titles and posted two undefeated seasons.

“I wish it would have come at the end of the year,” Swearingen said about the milestone game. “Then I would have time to look back and reflect on it and some of the players. But that’s the thing about athletics, you are only as good as your last game, and we have a big one this week.”

Saddleback (3-2 overall and 3-1 in conference) is tied for first place in the Mission Conference with Riverside and Orange Coast.

Southwestern (3-2, 2-2) is one of four teams tied for fourth place, a game behind the leaders.

Swearingen, in his 26th season, is the second-winningest community college coach in the nation behind Fullerton’s Hal Sherbeck, who is in his 27th season and has a record of 208-59-6.

In other Mission Conference games:

Orange Coast (4-1, 3-1) at San Diego Mesa (2-3, 2-2), 7:30 p.m.--OCC needs an improved performance from quarterback Keith Jarrett, who threw five interceptions in last Saturday’s 28-14 loss to Riverside. He had thrown only five interceptions in the first four games. Jarrett still leads the conference in touchdown passes with 12.

Mesa is led by quarterback Jeff Sturch, who leads the conference in completions (118), passing yardage (1,435) but also interceptions (12).

Rancho Santiago (2-3, 1-3) at San Diego City (0-4-1, 0-3-1), 1:30 p.m.--Rancho Santiago defeated Southwestern, 28-10, last Saturday to snap a three-game conference losing streak. Running back Glenn Campbell, who suffered a twisted neck three weeks ago, appears to be fully recovered after rushing for 93 yards in 23 carries against Southwestern.

Rancho Santiago’s defense is also improving. Linebacker Don Peterson had six tackles, a quarterback sack and an interception against Southwestern. Rancho Santiago is second in the conference in interceptions with 11. Riverside leads with 12.