Rancho Santiago Holds On to Beat Golden West

Rancho Santiago ran out the clock to win its Mission Conference game against Golden West, 21-18, Saturday at Orange Coast College. The Dons prevented a Golden West comeback by keeping the ball for the final 5 minutes 48 seconds.

The drive went from the Dons’ 43 to the Golden West six when time ran out.

There was only one pass in the 10-play drive but it was vital. On fourth down and 13, quarterback Mark Fausto threw to Juan Tinoco for a first down at the Golden West nine with 57 seconds left. Two running plays later, the game was over.

Rancho Santiago (3-2, 2-0) had scored on the last play of the half to take a 14-3 lead. Fausto passed 49 yards into the end zone to Mike Ogas, who caught it in a crowd.

Golden West (2-4, 0-2) cut it to 14-11 when Brian Schneider ran 10 yards on a quarterback keeper for a touchdown. He then completed a two-point conversion pass to Charles Chatman.

Rancho Santiago came back behind the running of freshman Steve Bodnar. He broke up the middle for 43 yards to five the Dons a first down at the Golden West four. Oscar Miranda then scored on the next play for a 21-11 lead with 2:46 left in the third quarter.

Bodnar, from Mater Dei, had a career-high 135 yards in 17 carries.

Golden West’s final score came when quarterback Dan Blahy completed a 48-yard touchdown pass to Andy Thorne with 9:49 left.