Santa Ana’s Comeback Earns Matchup Against Antelope Valley

Before the start of the community college football season, Santa Ana Coach Dave Ogas said he had a great group of kids.

Ogas wasn’t sure what that would translate to in wins and losses. Early on it meant only losses as Santa Ana dropped its first three games.

But Santa Ana regrouped and won the next seven to earn a berth in today’s McDonald’s Bowl against host Antelope Valley (also 7-3). Kickoff is 5 p.m.

The Dons improved in every department as their winning streak grew, but nowhere was the improvement more noticeable than the rushing attack. Tailback Tramel Robinson and the offensive line powered past opponents so effectively that Robinson was selected the Mission Conference Central Division offensive player of the year.

Robinson has 1,148 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also set the Santa Ana single-game rushing record with 288 yards in a 42-28 victory over Riverside in the final regular-season game.

Robinson, like most backs, is quick to credit his offensive line. Guard Steve Howard and tackle Matt Welch were first-team all-conference picks. Santa Ana led the conference in rushing, averaging 219 yards a game.

The emergence of quarterback Archie Lappin was another key factor. Lappin was splitting time early but won the job and became a first-team all-conference selection. He threw for 1,351 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for five more.

The defense is led by lineman Alex Pula, linebacker Tony Magliocco and back Kody Miller, who were all first-team all-conference selections.

*

Orange County doesn’t have a community college football team playing in a local bowl game, but some former local prep standouts will be playing when Long Beach and Hancock meet in the Simple Green Bowl at 1:30 today at Orange Coast College.

Long Beach (8-2) is led by quarterback Sean Stein (Los Alamitos High) and running back Michael Williams (Marina). Stein has thrown for 2,970 yards and 20 touchdowns. Williams has rushed for 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns. Long Beach is coached by Larry Reisbig, a former OCC assistant.

Hancock (8-2) has two one-point losses but has since won five in a row.