Golden West Falls Short in Opener

What was already a long week for the Golden West football team got worse in a hurry Saturday, when the Rustlers opened the season here against Long Beach.

Long Beach scored four first-half touchdowns to win, 35-14, in the season-opener for both teams at Veterans Stadium.

On Wednesday, things started to get difficult for Golden West when it was announced that Coach Ray Shackleford, in his 29th season, would not be returning after this season. The Golden West administration, and not Shackleford, made the decision.

The distraction didn’t help Golden West prepare for Long Beach, which was 9-2 last season. Long Beach was No. 16 in the J.C. Grid-Wire’s preseason rankings this year. Golden West, 4-6 last season, was unranked.

Saturday, Golden West allowed Long Beach to build a 28-0 lead in the first half. The Rustlers fumbled six times, losing four. Long Beach turned three Rustler fumbles into drives that produced touchdowns.

Things didn’t improve much in the second half when a Golden West punt was blocked to set up another Long Beach touchdown.

Golden West, returning six starters, figured to have a strong defense. But Long Beach, led by quarterback Neo Aoga, had little trouble moving the ball early.

Aoga completed 16 of 30 passes for 209 yards. He also ran for a touchdown.

Patrick Norris, playing about three quarters, rushed for 95 yards in 15 carries. He scored on runs of one and 22 yards.

The news wasn’t all terrible for Golden West, which plays Pasadena at Orange Coast next Saturday.

The defense did a much better job in the second half and quarterback Brian Schneider, a redshirt freshman, became comfortable in the second half.