Cerritos’ Kelley Runs Over Rancho Santiago in Victory

Despite hardly a trace of a running game, Rancho Santiago still had a chance to win late in its season-opener against Cerritos Saturday at Santa Ana Stadium.

But Cerritos, thanks to the running of Corey Kelley, was able to win, 22-9.

Kelley, a sophomore who gained 1,007 yards as a freshman in 1994, gained 198 in 21 carries Saturday. He had 79 yards in the first half, but then struggled for most of the second half. He had only 22 yards in his next eight carries.

Kelley broke loose again though, gaining 98 in his last three carries. It was his final carry that spelled doom for the Dons.

Cerritos was ahead, 14-9, with about six minutes left to play. The Falcons had possession on their 35 and Rancho Santiago was looking for a big defensive stand to get the ball.

Instead, on the first play, Kelley took a sweep around the left side and, after getting a pair of solid blocks, turned it up and sprinted untouched into the end zone with 5:55 left. Cerritos added a two-point conversion and Rancho Santiago was forced into a desperation passing attack.

Which was actually good news considering Rancho Santiago’s leading rusher was Jermaine Gray, who had 30 yards in 14 carries. He had 32 yards in his first seven carries, then lost two in his next seven.

Quarterback Mark Fausto spent much of the game trying to avoid the Cerritos pass rush. When he did spin free, he often was frustrated by his receivers’ inability to hang onto the ball.

Fausto completed 17 for 40 passes for 172 yards, but at least six of those dropped were catchable. Three of those could have gone for touchdowns.

It was especially frustrating for Fausto late in the third quarter when he slipped around the Cerritos blitz and threw an accurate pass to wide receiver Jon Daniels, who fought his way open in the end zone only to drop the ball.

Rancho Santiago then settled for a 39-yard field goal from Jerry Arguello to cut the Cerritos lead to 11-3 with 1:36 left in the quarter.

The Dons finally scored their only touchdown on their next possession. Fausto threw a quick out to Mike Ogas, who dodged the lone defender on his side of the field and ran in from 55 yards to score.

The try for the two-point conversion failed and Cerritos led, 11-9, with 10:20 left.