TODAY’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOWL GAMES : Saddleback Goes for It All in County Bowl Game

A national championship, a state title and an undefeated season are within reach for Saddleback in the Simple Green Orange County Bowl today at Orange Coast College.

The Gauchos (10-0) take on City College of San Francisco (10-0) at 1 p.m. in the most important community college game in the nation.

Saddleback is top-ranked in state and national polls, and San Francisco is not far behind. The Rams are ranked second in the state and fifth in the nation.

A Saddleback victory would ensure a second national title for Coach Ken Swearingen, in his 31st season. His 1985 Gauchos were co-champions with Utah Snow College.

A victory would also tie Swearingen for the all-time top spot in victories with former Fullerton Coach Hal Sherbeck, who won 241 games before retiring after last season.

“We are in a unique position to accomplish a great deal in one game,” Swearingen said. “Not too many teams get this chance.”

Saddleback rolls in on an 18-game winning streak and with one of the best defenses in the state.

The unit allowed 10.4 points and 235 yards per game, both tops in the Mission Conference. Sophomore linebacker Jeff Pease, a J.C. Grid-Wire All-American, leads the team in tackles with 106.

Linebacker Scott von der Ahe is second with 78, and safety Beau LeBreton third at 72. Defensive lineman Brent Longnecker (65 tackles) and von der Ahe are the sack leaders with seven each. Lineman Greg Webb has five sacks. Safety Jeremy Brion is tied for the state lead in interceptions with eight. San Francisco’s George Harris also has eight.

But Swearingen said San Francisco is without a doubt the best offensive team to challenge Saddleback this season. The Rams are led at running back by All-American Daymon Carter, who rushed for 1,509 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

San Francisco also has a talented quarterback in Eric Gray, who threw for 1,810 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also rushed for 728 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

Wide receivers Tony Roberts (51 catches for 784 yards) and James Hundon (31 for 890) each had 10 touchdown receptions.

“We’ve faced teams that had maybe a quarterback as good as (San Francisco’s),” Swearingen said. “Or maybe a running back or one wide receiver, but never all together like this. Man, they are really something. We have to shut down the big play.”

Don’t feel too sorry for Saddleback, though.

The Gauchos counter with a talented group of offensive players. Sophomore running back Marcellus Chrishon (1,748 yards, 24 touchdowns) was also an All-American pick. His exploits took some attention away from Saddleback’s passing offense. But quarterback Tim Snowden had a fine season in his own right, passing for 1,858 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Dan Zamora had 28 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns and Eddie Thompson had 20 catches for 386 yards and a touchdown.

“Saddleback has no apparent weakness,” said San Francisco Coach George Rush, who watched Saddleback’s 51-14 victory over Golden West two weeks ago. “They have great discipline and a great approach to the game.”

Mt. San Antonio (8-2) plays Palomar (9-1) at 7 p.m. at OCC in the second game of the Simple Green Orange County Bowl doubleheader.

Orange Coast, which finished second in the Mission Conference Central Division behind Saddleback, plays at Los Angeles Harbor in the K-Swiss Classic at 7 p.m.

Both teams come in with 7-3 records and prefer the running game. OCC looks to sophomore tailback Eric Washington (1,171 yards, 16 touchdowns) and freshman quarterback Todd Mather (403 yards, five touchdowns) for its ground attack.

Mather also passed for 661 yards and four touchdowns, but if OCC gets too far behind, Coach Bill Workman will probably switch to Sean Ponder, who is more of a drop-back passer.

OCC got excellent play from its linebackers this season, especially Dwight Chornomud and Dan Petrone. Chornomud was in on 134 tackles and recovered four fumbles. Petrone had 100 tackles.

Bowl Notes

Tickets for the Simple Green Orange County Bowl, which are good for both games, cost $7. Los Angeles Harbor is off the Harbor Freeway in Wilmington. Exit on Anaheim Street, make a right, and the college can be seen from there.