Golden West Defense Secures Victory Over Dons

Golden West defensive lineman Frank Marvitz stopped a fourth-down play to clinch a 24-21 victory for the Rustlers over Rancho Santiago in a Mission Conference Central Division game in front of about 500 Saturday at Orange Coast College.

Rancho Santiago had reached the Golden West 12-yard line with 1 minute 46 seconds left but faced fourth and eight.

The Dons (2-6, 1-2), who needed a victory to keep their slim bowl hopes alive, tried a double reverse to wide receiver Trent Julian. But Marvitz beat the block of quarterback Rich Fanti and stopped Julian for a three-yard loss. Golden West then ran out the clock.

“We weren’t looking for it,” Golden West Coach Ray Shackleford said. “We just ran into it and Frank made the big play.”

The victory ended a three-game losing streak for Golden West (5-3, 1-2).

Rancho Santiago had scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, but Golden West came back with 24 points in the second.

The Rustlers’ Brian Williams scored from 14 yards and Derrick Ragsdale scored on a two-yard run to tie the score at 14-14.

Josh Klein’s 37-yard field goal put Golden West ahead, 17-14, with 2:58 left in the half.

Golden West got the ball back when Rancho Santiago receiver Tony Peny fumbled after an eight-yard reception that was returned 22 yards by Michael Mazzone to the Rancho Santiago 19.

On third and 10, quarterback John Shipp threw a screen pass to Ragsdale for an 18-yard gain. Ragsdale finished the drive with a one-yard dive over the middle with 1:08 left in the half to put Golden West ahead, 24-14.