COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Saddleback Lives Up to Expectations in 34-10 Victory

In a nonconference football game that went pretty much as advertised for Saddleback College, the Gauchos beat Santa Monica, 34-10, Saturday.

The Gauchos started the season ranked No. 1 in the nation by the J.C. Grid-Wire and had little trouble with Santa Monica, which was picked 15th in the country by the same publication.

Marcellus Chrishon, a preseason All-American selection by the J.C. Grid-Wire, rushed for 176 yards in 26 carries and scored four times.

Chrishon, a sophomore from Mission Viejo High School, scored on runs of one, three, 14 and 35 yards. He also scored four times in Saddleback’s final game last season, a 42-18 victory over Cerritos in the Simple Green Orange County Bowl.

“When the guys love to block for you, it’s easy,” Chrishon said. “The hunger came out tonight when we finally got to show our stuff (as a team).”

Quarterback Tim Snowden was effective as well. He completed 10 of 20 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown. One of his passes was intercepted. Five of his completions went for 24 or more yards.

Wide receiver Dan Zamora had four catches for 134 yards, including a touchdown. He caught a 25-yard pass from Snowden with 11 minutes 11 seconds left in the first quarter to put the Gauchos up, 7-0.

He also caught passes of 58, 45, and six yards. On the 45-yard reception, he took a short pass from Snowden and gained 38 yards on his own.

Saddleback’s defense, thought to be questionable this season, struggled at times but got better as the game wore on.

“The defense improved a lot,” Saddleback Coach Ken Swearingen said. “The offense did some really excellent things, which we knew they could.”

Saddleback had 504 yards in total offense; Santa Monica had 311.