Roundup : Stark Passes Saddleback Through Fog to Victory Over Golden West

Saddleback College survived a sluggish first half and the fog Saturday, keeping pace in the Mission Conference’s Central Division with a 31-17 victory over Golden West before a crowd of 3,000 at Saddleback.

The Gauchos are 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the Central Division, where they are tied with Fullerton. Fullerton, the state’s top-ranked team, defeated Rancho Santiago Saturday, 24-17. Golden West is 3-4-1 and 0-3.

Saddleback meets Rancho Santiago and Fullerton in the final 2 weeks of the season.

Quarterback Scott Stark and wide receiver Scott Miller led the Gauchos’ attack in a game that had poor visibility because of the heavy fog. Stark completed 15 of 34 passes for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also scored Saddleback’s final touchdown on a nifty, 27-yard run.

Miller caught 10 passes for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns. Miller, the Mission Conference’s leading pass receiver, also scored on a 15-yard double reverse with 9:27 remaining in the third quarter. J.B. Hollins kicked the extra point to give the Gauchos a 14-0 lead.

Conference rushing leader Blaise Bryant of Golden West was held to 150 yards and 1 touchdown in 37 carries, and was not a big factor in the game. His longest run from scrimmage was 29 yards early in the first quarter.

Bryant’s 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter cut Saddleback’s lead to 14-7, but that was as close as the Rustlers would come.

The Gauchos scored 17 fourth-quarter points, including a 70-yard touchdown pass from Stark to Miller that gave Saddleback a 24-10 lead. It was the longest scoring play of the year for Saddleback.

Quarterback Joe Napoli had a rough night, as did the Golden West offense. Napoli was 0 for 10 with 3 interceptions. He was replaced midway through the third quarter by Ed Bricker, who was 6 of 16 for 100 yards and 1 touchdown with an interception.

Aly Diaz rushed for 60 yards in 17 carries to pace the Saddleback rushing attack.