COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Rancho Santiago Uses Defense to Win, 38-15

Although Orange Coast grabbed an early 10-point lead, Rancho Santiago’s defense made the big plays to turn the game around and help the Dons to a 38-15 victory in an Mission Conference Central Division football game Saturday at Santa Ana Stadium.

Steve Hoalton’s interception, the first of four for Rancho Santiago, and a blocked punt by Andre Holmes helped the Dons (4-2, 3-0 in division) score 28 consecutive points in the second quarter to take control.

Although Orange Coast quarterback Matt Sauk passed for 225 yards, Rancho Santiago’s stingy defense limited William League (12 carries, 45 yards) and the Pirates to 48 yards rushing. Orange Coast (2-4, 1-1) had been averaging 144 yards rushing.

“When you fall behind early like that, you always start thinking, ‘Oh no, it’s going to be that kind of day,’ ” Rancho Santiago Coach Dave Ogas said. “But the defense saved our bacon.”

Ogas also praised his offense, which has been inconsistent this season.

Quarterback Mark Fausto completed 10 of 18 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Chad Flick.

Eight backs combined for 208 yards rushing. Ace Riggins rushed for 88 yards in nine carries, including a 62-yard run.

But the Dons’ defense set the table.

Hoalton’s interception gave Rancho Santiago the ball at the Orange Coast 16. The Dons cashed it in with a one-yard touchdown run by Steve Bodnar, the first of his two scores, to make it, 10-7, with 10 minutes 33 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

After Holmes’ blocked punt, Fausto capped a three-play, 16-yard drive by scrambling out of the pocket and passing to Flick for an eight-yard touchdown pass. Fausto threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Flick with 4:58 remaining in the second quarter to make it 21-10.

With 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter, James Stewart intercepted a pass from Sauk at the Orange Coast 31, then pitched the ball to Holmes when he reached the 28. Holmes ran the rest of the way for a touchdown to make it, 28-10, and the Dons were never threatened.

Rancho Santiago place kicker Casey Wilson made a 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to make it 38-15. The field goal was Wilson’s 10th, setting a single-season school record.