Community College Football : Saddleback Hangs On for First Victory

Saddleback College, with the help of six turnovers, defeated Mt. San Antonio, 15-14, in a Mission Conference football game in front of about 500 fans at Mt. San Antonio College Saturday.

The victory ended a three-game losing streak for Saddleback (1-3 overall, 1-2 in conference play.)

Mt. San Antonio (2-2, 1-2) lost five fumbles--on its seven, 25, 28 and twice on its 20. Saddleback also got an interception on the Mt. SAC 20.

The winning touchdown came on a seven-yard run by John Burns with 6:09 left. The extra point, kicked by Michael Lawton, gave Saddleback a 15-8 lead.

The score was set up when Mt. SAC running back Leonard Russell fumbled on his seven and the ball was recovered by linebacker Jeff Hodges.

Mt. SAC quarterback Bill Gallis connected with Darick Holmes for a 33-yard score on a fourth-and-28 play with 1:11 remaining.n. A two-point conversion attempt failed when Gallis’ pass was knocked down at the goal line by Michael Coe.

Mt. SAC took an 8-0 lead in the second quarter when Russell broke loose for an eight-yard scoring run. He finished with 142 yards in 28 carries.

Saddleback scored with 1:08 left in the half on a 26-yard pass from quarterback John Barnes to Davy Rawson. John Burns passed for the extra points to Barnes to tie it, 8-8.

The score was set up when Mike Montreuil recovered a fumble at the Mt. SAC 26 with 1:10 left in the half.