Pony Bowl : Peters’ Return Lifts Rancho Santiago to 17-10 Upset

Paul Peters returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown with 1 minute 37 seconds remaining to give Rancho Santiago College a 17-10 victory over Moorpark in the first half of the PONY Bowl doubleheader Saturday at Orange Coast College.

Peters, a freshman wide receiver who also scored on a 40-yard pass play from Scott Wood in the third quarter, was named the game’s most valuable player.

“I didn’t think he was going to break it open because Moorpark is such a great team and it doesn’t give you much,” said Rancho Santiago Coach Dave Ogas, whose team was making its first bowl appearance in 23 years. “Peters just got a couple of key blocks and that was all he needed.”

Rancho Santiago (7-3-1) had tied the score, 10-10, on Tim Snitko’s 45-yard field goal with 3:16 to play. Moorpark punted to Peters after stalling in its own territory.

Moorpark (9-2), ranked ninth in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau and with the best defense in the state (allowing 173.8 yards a game) led most of the way. Sean Cheevers’ 37-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter gave the Raiders their last advantage at 10-7.

Rancho Santiago, which finished with 318 total yards but only 7 on the ground, scored all its points in the second half. The Dons struggled in the first without their leading rusher, Mike Miscione, who injured his knee after gaining only 16 yards in 4 carries.

Wood started in the second half in place of Eric Turner and completed 12 of 20 passes for 181 yards.