Central Division Football Teams Ready to Make a Run for the Title

The football season is half over and now begins the quest for the true prize: the Central Division title, which carries with it an automatic berth to the Simple Green Orange County Bowl.

Here’s an update on the Central Division teams as they get ready for their five-week run at the title:

Orange Coast (5-0)--The defending champion Pirates were supposed to be rebuilding but have shown no growing pains under Coach Bill Workman.

Among OCC’s first five opponents were San Diego City (0-6), Long Beach (1-5) and San Diego Mesa (1-5), but the Pirates were impressive in their five victories, including a 51-22 drubbing of Southwestern (3-3) in Chula Vista Saturday.

OCC has shown depth at running back and has another punishing defense. The Pirates are leading the conference in yards allowed per game (217). OCC opens division play against Rancho Santiago at 7 p.m. Saturday in Santa Ana Stadium.

Fullerton (4-1)--The Hornets have played as difficult a schedule as any team in the division.

Their only loss was 48-38 to Pasadena, the favored team in the Northern Division. Fullerton scored a 33-26 victory at El Camino Saturday, but things don’t get any easier this week when the Hornets play host to Saddleback at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Fullerton has proven to be the best running team in the conference, with tailback Brian Williams, who has rushed for 658 yards, and fullback John Mountain, who has 527.

Golden West (4-1)--Golden West also started 4-1 last season, but doesn’t want to repeat its 5-5 finish.

The Rustlers found a passing game Saturday, when reserve John Shipp threw for 198 yards in a 28-21 loss to Palomar. Shipp’s total was 88 yards less than starter Willy Puga’s in the first four victories combined. Puga sat out because of sore ribs.

Golden West has another fine defense led by end Joe Hay, who has 6 1/2 sacks and has been in on 51 tackles. David McLeod has been part of 41 tackles to lead the linebackers. Defensive back Kevin Mullens leads the team with four interceptions.

Golden West plays at Riverside at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Saddleback (4-1)--The Gauchos opened with two victories at home, but with Saturday’s game at Fullerton, they will have spent the last month on the road.

Two of those trips resulted in victories against Grossmont (1-3-1) and San Diego City (0-6), and the lone loss was at Southwestern, 43-32.

Freshman quarterback Tim Snowden won the job during scrimmages and has been fairly solid. He leads the division in yardage (1,232), touchdowns (14) and interceptions (nine).

Saddleback’s sophomore-led defense still might prove to be the difference, with at least eight starters having been through the division wars last season.

Riverside (1-4)--The Tigers are the tough-luck team of the first five weeks. Riverside could just as easily be 4-1. Palomar stopped the Tigers, 43-14, but the other three losses were by a combined four points.

The Tigers lost to Moorpark, 23-21; to El Camino, 21-20, and most recently--and most painfully--to Mt. San Antonio, 43-42. The Mounties scored a touchdown as time expired, then got a two-point conversion for the victory.

Riverside is primed for some good luck, but the lack of a true passing game (only 86 yards a game) could hurt the Tigers if they fall behind early.

Rancho Santiago (1-4)--Injuries and a tough schedule, including games against El Camino and Pasadena, are the story for the Dons.

Quarterback Rich Fanti banged up his knee and missed the Long Beach game (a 22-12 loss), but he is healthy again. His presence, along with that of wide receiver Trent Julian (32 catches and six touchdowns), presents plenty of problems for opposing defenses, as long as the Dons’ defense shapes up.

Football poll: Orange Coast (5-0) continues to lead the Southland Poll for the second consecutive week.

Palomar (5-1) is second, Fullerton (4-1) third, Pasadena (5-1) fourth, Moorpark (4-1) fifth, LA Southwest (4-1) sixth, Saddleback (4-1) seventh, San Bernardino Valley (5-1) eighth, Santa Barbara (4-1) ninth and Golden West (4-1) is 10th.

Community College Notes

Cypress has a chance to move into a first-place tie in the Orange Empire Conference women’s soccer standings when the Chargers play host to Palomar at 3 p.m. today. Cypress has a 3-1-1 record in conference, and Palomar is 4-0-1.