COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL : After Injury, Things Going Hay’s Way

When Joe Hay takes the field tonight for Golden West College, he will finally feel he’s on the same level as his teammates.

Golden West will play at San Diego Mesa in a 7 p.m. Mission Conference game.

Hay, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end, was expected to be a key member of the Golden West defensive unit, but an injury sustained during the summer nearly derailed that.

While running sprints in mid-July, Hay took a misstep and broke his right foot. He was out of action almost six weeks.

His teammates already had been in pads two weeks before Hay was cleared for full-contact practice.

When Golden West opened the season Sept. 21 with a 21-6 victory over Long Beach, it was only the second week of contact for Hay, whom Coach Ray Shackleford calls one of the best four-year prospects in the program.

“I was kind of rusty in the Long Beach game,” Hay said. “I was being too careful at first, trying not to make a mistake. I was a little timid. But now I’m totally caught up and ready to play.”

Hay graduated from Westminster High School in 1989, enrolled at Golden West, then decided to withdraw from his classes. He then spent most of the next year working with an electrician.

After getting his fill of full-time work, he returned to school and football. His friendship with Ray Smith, former standout at Westminster and Golden West, was the main reason he came back. Smith, who was the Mission Conference defensive player of the year last season, assured Hay that he could play on the community college level.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school,” Hay said. “But Ray asked me why I didn’t just come out and give it a try. Now, I work just as hard, don’t get paid, but it’s a lot more fun.”

Last season, things went slowly as Hay tried to get back into shape. But as the season progressed, he played more and more.

“It’s weird,” Hay said. “Last year I didn’t feel any pressure out there, now this year I am feeling some, but it usually goes away after the first play.”

In tonight’s 7 p.m. Mission Conference games:

El Camino (1-2, 0-1) vs. Rancho Santiago (1-1, 0-1), Santa Ana Stadium--Both teams will be trying to rebound from losses. Rancho Santiago lost to Mt. San Antonio, 30-24, and El Camino was drubbed by Saddleback, 36-8.

Fullerton (2-0, 1-0) at Pasadena (3-0, 1-0)--This is the best matchup of the year to date. Pasadena is ranked fifth in the national J.C. Grid-Wire poll, and No. 1 in Southern California.

Fullerton is ranked 17th in the nation and second in Southern California. The Hornets lead the conference in rushing with 310 yards per game, and in rushing defense, allowing 63 yards per game. Pasadena is second in rushing offense at 250 yards a game.

Golden West (2-0, 1-0) at San Diego Mesa (0-3, 0-1)--Once again, Golden West is strong on defense, allowing only six points in each of the first two games. Mesa is allowing a conference-high 38 points per game, but held Fullerton to 23 last week in a loss.

Grossmont (1-0-1, 0-1) at Orange Coast (2-0, 1-0)--OCC was thought to be in a rebuilding year, but the Pirates have been impressive. OCC is ranked 16th in the J.C. Grid-Wire national poll. OCC has the best defense in the conference, allowing 139 yards per game.

Saddleback (2-0, 1-0) at Southwestern (2-1, 0-1)--Saddleback is ranked seventh in the J.C. Grid-Wire national poll and playing the first of four consecutive road games. Saddleback quarterback Tim Snowden leads the conference with eight touchdown passes.