COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Golden West Looks to End Drought With Saddleback

Golden West, which has been playing just well enough to win, and Saddleback, which hasn’t played well the last two weeks, meet in a Mission Conference Central Division football game tonight at Orange Coast.

Golden West (3-2, 1-0 in divisional play) was picked to finish last, but has avoided crucial mistakes to win close games, including a 15-14 victory over Fullerton last Saturday. Three field-goal attempts in the second half by Fullerton failed.

The Rustlers are plus-12 in turnovers, and quarterback Steve Walker is 57 of 89 for 599 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Golden West Coach Ray Shackleford has platooned Vance Senteno and Eddie Benson at tailback, with great success. Benson has gained 335 yards and Senteno 332.

History isn’t on Golden West’s side tonight. Saddleback has won six of the teams’ seven meetings.

Saddleback comes in reeling from a 17-13 loss to Riverside last Saturday and a 40-12 loss to Mt. San Antonio the previous week. The Gauchos (2-3, 0-1) led Riverside, 13-0, in the first quarter, but the offense was put on hold the rest of the game.

The Gauchos, normally a strong offensive team, are ranked 13th of 15 in the conference, averaging 319 yards.

In today’s other Mission Conference games:

Fullerton (2-3) at San Diego Mesa (1-4), 7 p.m.--The Hornets are on the win-every-other-week plan. Ryan Roskelly, a sophomore wide receiver for Fullerton, is third in total offense in the conference at 154 yards per game. Fullerton quarterback Josh Nelson has thrown for 1,110 yards and eight touchdowns, but has had eight passes intercepted.

Orange Coast (3-2) at Grossmont (2-3), 1:30 p.m.--Orange Coast is riding a three-game winning streak, but any overconfidence could end that in a hurry. Grossmont played Saddleback tough three weeks ago and beat El Camino, 37-35, last Saturday. Orange Coast continues to lead the conference in defense, allowing 255 yards per game. The Pirates, ranked 10th in Southern California, have also allowed a conference-low nine touchdowns.

Rancho Santiago (1-3-1, 0-1) at Riverside (1-4, 1-0), 7 p.m.--Rancho Santiago hopes to break its three-game losing streak and even its divisional record. The Dons lead the conference in rushing with 205 yards per game and are seventh in total offense at 374 yards. Riverside broke a nine-game losing streak with a 17-13 victory over Saddleback last Saturday. The Tigers are second to last in total offense in the conference at 265.