COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Saddleback’s Chrishon Scores Five Touchdowns

Saddleback tailback Marcellus Chrishon seems to redefine his excellence every Saturday night.

Chrishon, who has scored four touchdowns twice in a game this season, had five Saturday as the Gauchos routed Fullerton, 41-12, in a Mission Conference Central Division game.

Chrishon was held to 84 yards in 15 carries in the first half but had 130 yards in 15 carries in the second half. He also had three receptions for 61 yards, including a 23-yarder for a touchdown, for Saddleback (6-0, 2-0), the No. 1-ranked team in the national J.C. Grid--Wire rankings.

Chrishon credited the offensive line for his accomplishments. “We came alive in the second half,” he said. “I just want to keep our team going like it is.”

Chrishon amazed the Saddleback staff as well.

“He gets better every week,” Coach Ken Swearingen said. “It’s like on-the-job training every time he carries the ball. He computes what he learns and gets better and better.”

Chrishon has rushed for 1,075 yards and scored 19 touchdowns in six games this season.

“I just hope I get to coach another one like him in my lifetime,” offensive coordinator Bill Cunerty said.

But the eventual blowout was close for a bit more than a half. Fullerton was only down, 13-6, at halftime because of a strong defensive effort.

Early in the second half, Hornet defensive back Brian Hayes intercepted a tipped pass, returning it nine yards to the Saddleback 31.

But instead of driving toward a score, Fullerton went backward. On third and 13, quarterback Josh Nelson was sacked by lineman Gregg Webb, who jarred the ball loose, and Bernie Johnson recovered it at the Saddleback 46.

Chrishon rushed for three yards, quarterback Tim Snowden completed a 40-yard pass to Eddie Thompson and then Chrishon ran in from the 11 for a touchdown and a 20-6 lead with 12:41 left in the third quarter.

Fullerton had the ball for a play but wide receiver Vince Wilson fumbled and the ball was recovered by linebacker Vaughn Shackelford at the Fullerton 19. A penalty advanced it to the 14 and Chrishon went in on the next play and Saddleback led, 27-6.

The kicking game was the story in the first half as Saddleback led, 13-6. Devon Higgins kicked field goals of 31 and 30 yards for Saddleback and Fullerton’s Chris Prater converted from 48 and 30 yards. The only touchdown of the half was set up by a blocked punt by the Gauchos’ Chip Anderson. The ball went out of bounds at the Saddleback one. Chrishon ran it in on the next play and Saddleback led, 7-0, with 12:36 left in the first quarter.