TONIGHT’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Saddleback Faces Its Finale Division Hurdle

Golden West has the last chance to derail undefeated Saddleback in a Mission Conference Central Division regular-season finale at 7 tonight in Mission Viejo.

Golden West (4-5, 2-2 in division) has had some low spots this season, including a 57-14 loss to Palomar and a 29-0 defeat by Orange Coast. But the Rustlers have rallied well under Coach Ray Shackleford.

Since the loss to OCC, Golden West has won three of four, including a 21-16 victory over Rancho Santiago last Saturday.

One of the main reasons for the Rustlers’ resurgence is freshman running back Vance Senteno, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his four starts. He has 549 yards this season.

But in Saddleback, he and Golden West face the best rushing defense in the 16-team conference. The Gauchos (9-0, 4-0) are allowing 70 yards per game on the ground. Saddleback leads in total defense as well, giving up 246 yards. Saddleback has allowed a conference-low 90 points--none in the third quarter.

In other Central Division 7 p.m. games:

Rancho Santiago (2-7, 1-3) vs. Fullerton (1-8, 1-3) at CS Fullerton--Host Fullerton celebrates homecoming by honoring the 1967 team, which won the national championship. Former Coach Hal Sherbeck will make his first appearance at a Fullerton game since retiring last March. This is the oldest series between county teams. It began in 1916; Fullerton leads the series, 33-31-4.

Mark Flatten leads Rancho Santiago in receptions with 27 for 359 yards. He also has four touchdown catches.

Riverside (1-6-1, 1-3) at Orange Coast (6-3, 3-1)--OCC needs a victory to remain in bowl contention. OCC running back Eric Washington is having a fine season, but at times has been in the shadow of Saddleback’s Marcellus Chrishon, who leads the conference with 1,562 yards. Washington has rushed for 1,071 yards and 15 touchdowns, including five in the 40-15 victory over Fullerton last week. Riverside has had plenty of bad luck this season, but the Tigers have a chance to avenge a 51-0 loss to OCC last season.