MORE GAUCHOS TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES
Saddleback College football coach Mark McElroy has announced that six more Gauchos have transferred to four-year colleges to continue their education and football careers, bringing the number of transfers this year up to 25.
Freshman strong safety Michael Ciaccio (Northwood HS, Irvine), sophomore cornerback Jamie Rodgers (Mission Viejo HS), and sophomore center Damian Shankle (Aliso Niguel HS, Aliso Viejo) will remain in Southern California next year. Ciaccio has enrolled at UCLA where he will join the football team, Rodgers will play for Chapman University, and Shankle has caught on at San Diego State University.
Ciaccio was third on the team in total tackles during the 2006 season with 77 stops. He led the team with 42 solo tackles and 11 pass break ups and also added six tackles for lost yardage, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was a first-team all-Mission Conference selection as a safety.
Shankle was the starting center for the Gauchos this season and also earned first-team all-Mission Conference honors.
Wide receiver Steve Melton (San Clemente HS) will play for the University of Colorado this fall, defensive end Bryan Oakes (San Clemente HS) will play at Southern Oregon, and kicker Scott Russell (Rock Bridge, MO) will return to the University of Missouri where he spent a red shirt season before transferring to Saddleback last year.
Melton was the team’s leading receiver with 40 receptions for 701 yards and five touchdowns. He earned second-team all-conference recognition.
Oakes played in every game for the Gauchos this season, posting 40 tackles including nine tackles for lost yardage and 3.5 sacks. He also batted down two passes.
Russell’s strong leg was primarily used on kickoffs for the Gauchos. He averaged 58.7 yards on 44 kickoffs this season, helping Saddleback to an 11-1 overall record.
TWO MORE GAUCHO FOOTBALL PLAYERS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE FALL
Saddleback College football coaches have announced that two more players will continue their education and careers at four-year colleges in the fall.
Head coach Mark McElroy announced that freshman linebacker Charles Johnson (El Toro HS) will forego his sophomore season at Saddleback and will receive a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley. He will be eligible to play three years with the Bears and will join former Gaucho punter Andrew Larson on the roster.
Johnson played in all 12 games for the Gauchos in 2006, finishing second on the team in total tackles with 89. He had 14 tackles for lost yardage, including a team-high eight quarterback sacks. He earned first-team all-Mission Conference honors while helping Saddleback to a perfect 10-0 regular season record and an 11-1 overall mark.
Don Butcher, Director of Football Operations at Saddleback College, announced that offensive lineman Manny Gomez (Schurr HS, Montebello) has signed a letter of intent to continue his education and football career at Lindenwood University in Missouri.
Gomez, a two-year starter for the Gauchos, earned second-team all-Mission Conference honors in 2006 at the guard position.
FORMER GAUCHOS SIGN FREE AGENT CONTRACTS AS EXPECTED
Former Saddleback linebacker Ryan Powdrell (U.S.C.) and former wide receiver Jerard Rabb (Boise State) both signed free agent contracts with NFL teams this week as was expected. Powdrell, who was converted by USC back to the fullback position he played while prepping at Mission Viejo High School, inked a contract with the Green Bay Packers while Rabb, who played football, basketball, and track at El Modena High School, signed on with the Dallas Cowboys. Rabb played one season of basketball at Irvine Valley College before taking to the field to play two seasons of football at Saddleback College.
They join former Saddleback place kicker Aaron Barret (Chaparral High School, Murrieta) who signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs last week.
GAUCHOS UNDRAFTED BUT SIGN FREE AGENT CONTRACTS
At least three former Saddleback College football players who went undrafted in the recent NFL draft are expected to sign free agent contracts with professional teams.
Former kicker Aaron Barret (Univ. of New Mexico) has already signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to the Chiefs' website. Fullback Ryan Powdrell (U.S.C.) is expected to sign a free agent contract this week with the Green Bay Packers and wide receiver Jerard Rabb (Boise State) is expected to sign a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys according to Don Butcher, Saddleback College's Director of Football Operations.
Several other former Gauchos have also been contacted by professional teams are awaiting free agent contract offers.
FORMER GAUCHO EXPECTED TO BE PICKED UP BY CHIEFS
The Kansas City Chiefs are expecting to sign former Saddleback place kicker Aaron Barret to sign a free agent contract this week so that he can join the team at training camp, according to the Chief's media relations office.
Barret was a shortstop on the Saddleback baseball team during the spring 2002 semester, then joined the football team as a placekicker during the fall 2002 semester before continuing his football career at the University of New Mexico.
TWO MORE GAUCHOS HEADED FOR DIVISION I FOOTBALL PROGRAMS
Two more Saddleback College football players recently announced that they will continue their football careers at the four-year level this fall.
Tim Grasso will continue his education and football career at the University of Hawaii while Ryan Lammle will attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas and compete for the Rebels.
Grasso, a 6’0”, 200-pound punter out of Davis High School in Utah, played his first season at Dixie Community College in Utah where he booted 46 punts for an average of 42.2 yards per kick. He transferred to Saddleback prior to the 2006 season and punted 38 times for a 39.8 yard average. Hawaii, which only carries one punter on the roster, kicked the ball a total of 16 times in 14 games last season.
Lammle, a 5’8”, 190-pound running back out of Reed High School in Nevada, rushed 15 times for 69 yards and one touchdown during his freshman season in 2005 and added 33 yards on 10 more carries this season. He is currently enrolled at UNLV and going through spring drills with the Rebels.
Including Grasso and Lammle, 16 Gaucho football players will continue their education at the four-year level next season.
DON BUTCHER INDUCTED INTO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Longtime Saddleback College assistant football coach Don Butcher was recently inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Butcher joined the Saddleback College coaching staff in 1976 and spent 29 seasons as the team’s linebacker coach before moving into the front office position of Director of Football Operations two years ago. Four of the players he coached earned the conference’s defensive player of the year award: Jeff Pease (Mission Viejo HS), 1992; Scott von der Ahe (Mission Viejo HS), 1993; Joe Cesta (Loyola HS), 1996; and Jimmy Ellingson (Temescal Canyon HS), 2003. He has had numerous players earn all-conference honors and 13 players have gone on to earn All-American honors.
He has also been Saddleback’s lead contact with the four-year recruiters and has been instrumental in helping over 350 Gaucho football players obtain scholarships to continue their education and football careers at four-year universities.
Butcher played football at Los Angeles City College and then with the Eagle Rock Athletic Club in a semi-pro league. He was offered a free agent contract with the Baltimore Colts but turned it down in order to work in the family business. When Ken Swearingen was hired as the head coach at Saddleback prior to the 1976 season, he brought Butcher on board as an assistant coach. Butcher stepped away from his daily on-field coaching duties after the 2004 season but continues to be Saddleback’s contact with the four-year schools.
McELROY NAMED AS REGION IV COACH OF THE YEAR
Saddleback College head football coach Mark McElroy was named as the Coach of the Year for Region IV by the California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA) and was presented with his award during the annual football coaches meeting held March 10 in Fresno.
McElroy, who is 60-29 through eight seasons as head coach at Saddleback, led the Gauchos to an 11-1 overall record in 2006, including a 10-0 record during the regular season and an 8-0 record against Mission Conference opponents. Saddleback, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation for five weeks and No. 1 in Southern California for seven weeks, earned a post-season bowl bid for the sixth consecutive year.
TWO MORE GAUCHOS COMMIT TO FOOTBALL PROGRAMS
Saddleback College head football coach Mark McElroy has announced that two more football players have committed to play for four-year colleges next year, bringing the number of Saddleback players transferring to the four-year level up to 15.
Tight end Adam Goodman (Edison HS, Huntington Beach) will attend the University of Southern California while defensive back Marce Ayala (Polytechnic HS, Long Beach) will play for Tabor College in Kansas.
Goodman caught three passes in the first two games of the season for the Gauchos in 2006, including an 86-yard touchdown reception in a 38-13 victory over Allan Hancock College (Santa Maria). That proved to be the longest scoring play by a tight end in Saddleback College history. An injury in the second game ended his season.
During his freshman season in 2005, Goodman played in 10 games for the Gauchos, catching nine passes for 104 yards and one touchdown as he earned second-team all-Mission Conference honors.
Ayala was credited with breaking up a pass in his only appearance during the 2006 season. He had three tackles and blocked a kick during the 2005 season.
Saddleback finished the 2006 season with an 11-1 overall record, including an undefeated 10-0 regular season record. The Gauchos defeated Palomar College, 30-28, in the National Bowl before falling to El Camino College, 31-29, in the semifinals of the regional playoffs. This was the sixth consecutive season Saddleback participated in a post-season bowl game.
Player Pos Ht Wt High School Next College/University
Adam Goodman TE 6’3 240 Edison U.S.C.
Marce Ayala CB 5’7 160 Poly (Long Beach) Tabor College (KS)
Robbie DuBois RB 5’11 220 Mission Viejo Ottawa University (KS)
Nick Nelson QB 6’2 230 Tesoro Colorado
PT Gates RB 5’11 195 Marian (San Diego) Colorado
Jess Beets OL 6’3 305 Tesoro Kentucky
Jesse Lee OL 6’2 315 Saddleback Valley Chr. Northern Arizona
Terrell Robinson WR 5’11 180 Aliso Niguel Oregon
Justin Witzmann DL 6’1 280 La Costa Canyon Charleston Southern (SC)
Jake Killeen LB 6’4 225 Reno (NV) Charleston Southern (SC)
Mark Seward LB 6’1 230 Bonanza (NV) Nevada, Las Vegas
Casey Clark LB 6’2 225 Mater Dei Azusa Pacific
Brad Rife DE 6’2 230 Northwood (Irvine) Idaho State
Chris Cole SS 5’11 215 Mission Viejo Hawaii
David Rippey DE 6’4 255 Murrieta Valley Abilene Christian (TX)
DUBOIS HEADED FOR OTTAWA UNIVERSITY IN KANSAS
Saddleback College running back Robbie DuBois has enrolled at Ottawa University in Kansas, according to Don Butcher, Director of Football Operations at Saddleback. DuBois becomes the 12th Gaucho from the 2006 team to continue his education and football career at the four-year level.
DuBois, a standout running back at Mission Viejo High School in 2000 and 2001 who went to Fresno State before returning last year to participate in football at Saddleback, played in 10 games for the Gauchos (11-1) last season. He ran for 344 yards and three touchdowns on 64 carries (5.4 yards per carry).
Quarterback Nick Nelson (Tesoro HS) is already enrolled at the University of Colorado, with running back PT Gates (Marian Catholic HS, San Diego) committed to joining the Buffaloes at the end of this semester. Lineman Jess Beets (Tesoro HS) is already enrolled at the University of Kentucky and wide receiver Terrell Robinson (Aliso Niguel HS) is at the University of Oregon. Both Justin Witzmann (La Costa Canyon HS) and Jake Killeen (Reno HS, Nevada) are at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina.
Other recent commitments have linebacker Mark Seward (Bonanza HS, Nevada) returning to UNLV, defensive end Brad Rife (Northwood HS, Irvine) heading to Idaho State, and defensive back Chris Cole (Mission Viejo HS) returning to the University of Hawaii. Linebacker Casey Clark (Mater Dei HS) will continue at Azusa Pacific University and offensive lineman Jesse Lee (Saddleback Valley Christian HS) will play for Northern Arizona University.
Defensive lineman David Rippey (Murrieta Valley HS), who played on the 2005 team, recently accepted an offer to play for Abilene Christian.
GAUCHOS EARN TOP HONORS
Four Saddleback football players were singled out by the California Community College Football Coaches Association for their play during the 2006 season. Running back PT Gates, offensive lineman Jess Beets, defensive lineman Justin Witzmann, and defensive end Jake Killeen were each listed as first-team All-California selections by the CCCFCA and the JC Athletic Bureau. Gates and Beets also earned first-team All-America honors by the same group.
Gates played in all 12 games for the Gauchos this season and rushed for 1,338 yards and 23 touchdowns to lead the team to an 11-1 overall record. He also caught 40 passes for 359 yards and three more touchdowns.
Witzmann and Killeen also played in all 12 games this season. Witzmann accounted for 44 tackles, including nine tackles for lost yardage and 1.5 sacks. He also had three fumble recoveries. Killeen posted 63 tackles with 7.5 sacks and a team-high 16 tackles for lost yardage.
GAUCHO GRIDDERS END UP NO. 3 IN THE NATION
The Saddleback College football team finished the year ranked third nationally by the J.C. Grid-Wire publication which ranks the nation’s top community college football programs.
The Gauchos (11-1) spent five weeks at the top of the national poll, including the entire month of November. Saddleback also spent three weeks at No. 2, one week at No. 4 and two weeks at No. 8. In all, the Gauchos were ranked among the nation’s top 10 for 11 weeks this season.
Saddleback’s only loss of the year came at the hands of eventual state champion El Camino College, 31-29, during the regional playoff semifinals. The Gauchos had beaten El Camino just two weeks earlier, 42-37, to win the Mission Conference title and earn the top seeding in the playoffs. El Camino went on to defeat City College of San Francisco, 49-35, in the state championship game.
Blinn, Texas (12-0) was named as the 2006 national champion by the publication. El Camino (12-2) was ranked second, followed by Saddleback. Snow, Utah (11-1) was ranked fourth, Foothill College (10-1) was ranked fifth, and City College of San Francisco (10-2) was ranked sixth.
Santa Rosa Junior College (10-1), Bakersfield College (11-2), Grossmont College (10-2), and Butler, Kansas (11-1) round out this year’s final Top 10.
Saddleback had won national championship titles in 1985 and 1992 from this publication and finished second in 1996 to Blinn. The Gauchos were listed as national champions in 1996 by USA Today. El Camino won its last national championship in 1987.
SADDLEBACK PAIR MAKE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE ALL-AMERICAN LIST
A pair of Saddleback College football players were selected to the J.C. Grid-Wire Scholar-Athlete All-American list for the 2006 season.
Defensive nose tackle Justin Witzmann (La Costa Canyon HS) was named to the first-team defense. The national publication lists the 6’1”, 280-pound sophomore as holding a 3.40 GPA as a business major. He started all 12 games for the Gauchos this season, posting 44 tackles including nine tackles for lost yardage. He also had three fumble recoveries.
Sophomore linebacker Brad Rife (Northwood HS) was named as a Scholar-Athlete All-American Honorable Mention. The 6’2”, 230-pound business major holds a 3.20 GPA. He led the Gauchos with 93 tackles this season, including 10 tackles for lost yardage. He forced two fumbles, had three fumble recoveries, and an interception.
The Gauchos were 11-1 on the season, winning the Mission Conference title and defeating Palomar, 30-28, in the National Bowl.
FOUR GAUCHOS EARN ALL-AMERICA HONORS
Four members of this year’s Saddleback College football team were given All-America honors by the J.C. Grid-Wire publication. All four were from the offensive side of the ball.
Sophomore running back PT Gates (Marian Catholic HS, San Diego) earned first-team honors after leading the Gauchos in rushing with 1,338 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also led the team in receiving, catching 40 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns. His 26 touchdowns and 156 points place him second on Saddleback’s single-season scoring charts, one touchdown behind Marcellus Chrishon.
Sophomore lineman Jess Beets (Tesoro HS) earned second-team honors. The 6’3”, 305-pound offensive guard was a two-year starter for the Gauchos, helping the team average 223 rushing yards per game and limiting opponents to just 12 quarterback sacks.
Center Damian Shankle (Aliso Niguel HS) and quarterback Nick Nelson (Tesoro HS) were both named to the Honorable Mention list. Shankle, a 6’2”, 310-pound lineman, teamed with Beets to open holes for the Saddleback running attack. Nelson, a 6’2”, 230-pound signal-caller, completed 62.5 percent of his passes (157-for-251) for 2,241 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns.
Saddleback finished the year with an 11-1 record, including a perfect 10-0 mark during the regular season. The Gauchos were the top-ranked team in the country for five weeks and were ranked No. 2 in the country for an additional three weeks.
The Gauchos beat Palomar in the National Bowl, 30-28, then fell the next week to El Camino College in the semifinals of the regional playoffs, 31-29. El Camino (10-2) will play at Bakersfield (11-1) in the regional championship game with the winner advancing to the state championship game on December 9 in Fresno. Saddleback defeated both El Camino (42-37) and Bakersfield (48-21) earlier in the season.
GAUCHOS PLACE 18 ON ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL LIST
Saddleback College was well represented on the Mission Conference National Division’s all-conference list, getting 18 players and a coach recognized for their efforts in helping Saddleback to an undefeated regular season (10-0) and the Mission Conference title.
Head coach Mark McElroy was selected as the division’s Coach of the Year while sophomore running back Patrick “PT” Gates (Marian Catholic HS) was selected as the division’s Offensive Player of the Year. McElroy recently completed his eighth season as head coach of the Gauchos and has built a 60-29 record during that time. Gates rushed for 1,059 yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season, making him the college’s eighth 1,000-yard rusher. He also led the team with 33 receptions for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
Joining Gates on the first-team are quarterback Nick Nelson (Tesoro HS), center Damian Shankle (Aliso Niguel HS), and offensive guard Jess Beets (Tesoro HS) on offense as well as defensive end Jake Killeen (Reno HS, NV), defensive tackle Justin Witzmann (La Costa Canyon HS), linebackers Brad Rife (Northwood HS) and Charles Johnson (El Toro HS), and safety Michael Ciaccio (Northwood) on the other side of the ball. Nelson passed for 1,910 yards and 17 touchdowns during the regular season and also rushed for 229 yards and four scores. Killeen led the team with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for lost yardage. Witzmann added 36 tackles, including seven for lost yardage, and had two fumble recoveries. Rife led the team in tackles this season with 79, including 10 tackles for lost yardage, while Johnson was second on the team with 67 tackles. He had five sacks and 11 tackles for lost yardage. Ciaccio had 60 tackles and a team-high eight pass break ups.
Making the second-team all-conference list on offense were running back Andrew Nakihei (Maui HS, HI), receiver Steve Melton (San Clemente HS), offensive linemen Jesse Lee (Saddleback Valley Christian HS) and Manuel Gomez (Schurr HS, Montebello), and place kicker Eric Carr (Aliso Niguel HS). From the defense, second-team all-conference honorees include safety Chris Cole (Mission Viejo HS), cornerback Earl Wilson (Marian Catholic HS), defensive back and punt returner Rico Russo (Granite Bay HS), along with punter Tim Grasso (Davis HS, UT).
Saddleback went on to win the National Bowl, 30-28, over Palomar before falling to El Camino, 31-29, in the regional semifinals of the playoffs to finish the season with an 11-1 overall record.
2006 All-Mission Conference National Division selections
First-Team Offense
RB PT Gates (Offensive Player of the Year)
QB Nick Nelson
OC Damian Shankle
OG Jess Beets
Second-Team Offense
RB Andrew Nakihei
WR Steve Melton
OG Manuel Gomez
OT Jesse Lee
PK Eric Carr
First-Team Defense
DE Jake Killeen
DT Justin Witzmann
LB Brad Rife
LB Charles Johnson
SS Michael Ciaccio
Second-Team Defense
SS Chris Cole
CB Earl Wilson
Ret Rico Russo
P Tim Grasso
Coach of the Year: Mark McElroy
GAUCHOS LOSE REMATCH AGAINST WARRIORS
It's hard to beat a good team twice in a season, and Saddleback learned that lesson the hard way on Saturday night, dropping a 31-29 decision to El Camino in the Southern California regional playoff semifinal game held on the Saddleback campus. It was the second meeting between the two schools in 2 weeks.
After El Camino scored the opening touchdown, Saddleback answered with two touchdowns and a field goal to take a 17-8 lead at the intermission. Maurice Clark caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Nick Nelson in the first quarter and PT Gates added a 25-yard touchdown run, cutting across the grain in the second quarter. Eric Carr added a 23-yard field goal with plenty of room to spare.
El Camino scored twice in the second half to regain the lead, 18-17, but Gates darted off on a 73-yard touchdown run to regain the lead for Saddleback, 23-18. El Camino added a touchdown and two field goals to go up, 31-23, with just over two minutes to play.
Nelson connected on a 56-yard pass to Steve Melton to put the ball at the El Camino 3-yard line then, following a Warrior penalty, Gates ran the ball in from 1-yard out to pull the Gauchos close at 31-29. The two point conversion attempt failed as Nelson completed a pass to RB Robbie Dubois, but Dubois was tackled just short of the endzone.
On the ensuing onside kickoff, Gates came up with the ball after it hit a Warrior defender and Nelson went back to work on offense. He marched the Gauchos down to the El Camion 13-yard line but time was ticking away. A sideline pass was completed in bounds and the clock continued to tick. Out ran Carr and the field goal unit, quickly lining up for a 33-yard field goal attempt for the win. Carr's kick had plenty of distance, but missed to the right.
Gates finished with 24 carries for 177 yards and three touchdowns while Nelson was 18-of-26 for 223 yards and one touchdown. Melton had six receptions for 107 yards.
El Camino will travel to Bakersfield on Saturday, December 2, for the regional championship game at 4:00 p.m.. The winner will advance to the state championship game on December 9 in Fresno at 1:00 p.m..
SADDLEBACK TO HOST EL CAMINO . . . . AGAIN
It appears that the road to the state championship passes through Mission Viejo . . . twice.
After defeating Palomar in the National Bowl, 30-28, the Gauchos (11-0) now advance to the semifinal round of the regional playoffs where they will host El Camino College (9-2) for the second time in 15 days. That game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, in the Saddleback College stadium.
When these two teams met two weeks ago it was the first time that two Mission Conference teams were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the state heading into the final regular-season game. The score was tied 14-14 until El Camino score 17 straight points to take a 31-14 advantage in the third quarter. But Saddleback answered back with 28 straight points, holding on to win by a 42-37 margin.
Beating the same team twice is tough, even if it's at home. And especially if it's the No. 2 team in the state. Although El Camino dropped a bit in the rankings following the loss to Saddleback, there's no reason to think that they're not still No. 2. It should be another tight, hard-fought game.
If Saddleback should get past El Camino a second time, the Gauchos would face the winner of the Grossmont-Bakersfield game. Bakersfield is the higher seed in that contest and will host the Griffins. If Bakersfield also wins . . . . it's like Deja Vu all over again.
Saddleback and Bakersfield met in the second week of the season. That game was played at Saddleback with the Gauchos winning, 48-21. That was Bakersfield's only loss of the season. It's possible that Bakersfield could get another shot at the Gauchos, but that road would pass through Mission Viejo as well.
Tickets to Saturday's game against El Camino will be available at the gate. Ticket prices are $7 for general admission and $5 for children, students, and senior citizens.
GAUCHOS WIN NATIONAL BOWL ON LAST-MINUTE DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Kenneth Bragg didn't see a lot of action in the bowl game. But in the final seconds, Bragg's defensive stop saved the game for the Gauchos as top-seeded Saddleback held on to defeat eighth-seeded Palomar College, 30-28, in the fourth annual National Bowl on the Saddleback College campus.
With the victory Saddleback advances to the regional semifinals on Saturday, November 25, to host El Camino College -- a 31-29 winner over Moorpark College in the American Bowl. It will mark the second time in three weeks that Saddleback and El Camino will have met. That game will have a 5:00 p.m. kickoff in the Saddleback College stadium.
Palomar scored first on a 26-yard pass from Tyler Lorenzen to Tyler Fenton but Saddleback answered on its next possession on a 4-yard run by PT Gates. The Gauchos would take a 10-7 lead later in the first quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Eric Carr. Neither team scored in the second quarter and the Gauchos enjoyed a slim lead at the intermission.
Saddleback came out strong in the third quarter, driving 72 yards on 12 plays and capping the drive with a 1-yard plunge by Gates to give Saddleback a 17-7 advantage. The Gauchos forced a Comet fumble and were back on offense just one minute later. Andrew Nakihei rushed for five yards, Robbie DuBois added a 16-yard run, then Gates capped the 3-play drive with a 10-yard scoring run to give Saddleback a 23-7 bulge.
Palomar answered just two minutes later as Lorenzen found Kyle Hill for a 30-yard scoring strike, but Saddleback would close out the third quarter with another score as Gates added another 1-yard TD run -- his fourth touchdown of the game -- to give Saddleback a seemingly comfortable 30-14 advantage.
The Comets battled back, scoring midway through the fourth quarter on a 10-yard pass from Lorenzen to former Gaucho Malik Lagree. Saddleback was only able to burn 3:45 off of the clock on its next drive and Palomar took over at their own 10-yard line with 5:27 to play. Lorenzen went to work, completing 6-of-9 passes during the drive and rushing three times for gains of four, 18, and 19 yards. The 19-yarder came on a fourth-and-15 at the Saddleback 24-yard line, giving the Comets a first-and-goal at the Saddleback 5-yard line. Four plays and two penalties later, Grigsby scampered in from three yards away to make the score 30-28, setting up the two-point conversion attempt to try to tie the game with 23 seconds remaining. That's when Bragg filled a hole in the middle of the line, met Grigsby squarely at the line of scrimmage, and dropped him for no gain, denying the Comets the two-point conversion.
Palomar's Lorenzen, who was 37-of-48 for 382 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 62 yards, shared the bowl game's offensive MVP award with Saddleback's Gates, who had 22 carries for 102 yards and four TD's along with three receptions for 33 yards. Saddleback safety Michael Ciaccio earned the game's defensive MVP honor after posting a game-high 14 tackles (nine solo) and breaking up a pass.
SADDLEBACK COLLEGE TO HOST NATIONAL BOWL
Saddleback College, the nation’s top-ranked community college football team and the only undefeated team in the state at 10-0, will host Palomar College (6-4) on Saturday, November 18, in the National Bowl. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. in the Saddleback College stadium.
This is the fourth annual National Bowl event. It is the third National Bowl Saddleback has played in and the second time the Gauchos have hosted the bowl. Saddleback lost to Mt. San Antonio 24-23 in the inaugural bowl in 2003 but defeated the Mounties 21-18 in 2004. El Camino hosted the National Bowl in 2005, defeating Riverside 57-22.
Saddleback and Palomar are both members of the Mission Conference but did not meet in 2005 or during the 2006 regular season. The teams have squared off 31 times previously, with Saddleback leading the series 20-11.
The Gauchos are led by tailback PT Gates (Marian Catholic HS, San Diego), the Mission Conference National Division Offensive Player of the Year. Gates led the Gauchos in both rushing and receiving, gaining 1,059 yards on the ground with 16 touchdowns and adding 33 receptions for 285 yards and three more touchdowns. He leads the Mission Conference in scoring with 19 TDs.
Palomar is led by sophomore quarterback Tyler Lorenzen, the Mission Conference American Division Offensive Player of the Year. Lorenzen leads the conference in total offense with 3,352 yards and has accounted for 23 passing touchdowns while also leading the Comets in rushing with 774 yards and eight touchdowns.
Saddleback’s defensive unit has limited opponents to an average of 17 points per game and the Gauchos have recorded a conference-high of 30 sacks. Jake Killeen (Reno HS, NV) leads the conference with 6.5 sacks while Charles Johnson (El Toro HS) has added 5.0 sacks. Cornerback Earl Wilson (Marian Catholic HS, San Diego) leads the Gauchos with three interceptions, including an interception with a 40-yard run back last Saturday against El Camino which set up Saddleback’s final scoring drive in a 42-37 victory over the Warriors.
Both Saddleback and Palomar have three National Championship titles to their credit. Saddleback won titles in 1985, 1992, and 1996 while Palomar claimed titles in 1991, 1993, and 1998.
The winner of Saturday's game advances to the semifinal round of the regional playoffs to take on the winner of the El Camino vs. Moorpark game. Saddleback is seeded No. 1 in the playoffs and Palomar is seeded No. 8. El Camino is seeded fourth and Moorpark fifth.
Tickets to Saturday’s game are $7 for general admission and $5 for students and senior citizens and are available at the stadium box office on game day.
RAIN DOESN'T DAMPEN SADDLEBACK'S UNDEFEATED SEASON
It was billed as a barn burner. The top two teams in the state squaring off for the Mission Conference National Division title, the top seed in the regional playoffs, and a shot at the national title.
On a day that started out warm and beautiful, to an evening that was cool and clear, and then a night which saw cloud coverage drop a steady light rain during the fourth quarter, nothing would stop Saddleback from continuing its stellar season as the Gauchos edged El Camino 42-37 in front of more than 2,000 vocal fans on Saturday night.
Saddleback scored on its first possession of the game as Steve Melton caught a 19-yard pass from Nick Nelson to give the Gauchos a 7-0 lead. But El Camino countered with a 3-yard touchdown run by Jeremy Francis to knot the score at 7's in the first quarter. Saddleback regained the lead as Melton caught a 46-yard TD toss from Nelson in the second quarter, but Francis tied the score on El Camino's next play from scrimmage on a 63-yard pass from Boo Jackson to Francis. El Camino would add a 22 yard field goal by Joe Houston and a 17-yard scoring reception by Corey Surrency to give the Warriors a 24-14 halftime lead.
It appeared that the Warriors would start to run away with the game when Kay Farquharson hauled in a 22-yard scoring pass from Jackson midway through the third quarter to give El Camino a 31-14 advantage. But, on a night when Saddleback was honoring its undefeated 1996 National Champion team, the karma of the veterans started to wear off on the current players. Saddleback would stay on the ground to grind out 300 rushing yards and would score 28 consecutive points to regain the lead, 42-31. PT Gates scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter, then added a 45-yard run to open the fourth quarter which brought the Gauchos within three at 31-28. Seven minutes later he scored on a 44-yard scoring scamper to give Saddleback its first lead of the second half. When Earl Wilson intercepted Jackson's errant pass on El Camino's next series and returned it 40 yards to the Warrior 19, Andrew Nakihei was able to make quick work out of the Warrior defense and score on a 16-yard run to give the Gauchos a 42-31 cushion.
El Camino would answer back in less than two minutes as the Warriors marched 65 yards on four plays, capped by Jamicah Bass' 2-yard TD dive. Following an onside kick attempt which Saddleback recovered, the Gauchos were unable to run out the final 2:41 on the clock and El Camino took over possession with just over one minute to play. After a pair of completions got the Warriors inside Gaucho territory, Jackson dropped back for his final pass attempt. It appeared he would be sacked in the pocket and he shoveled the ball in the direction of an eligible running back. Gaucho linebacker Casey Clark stepped in front of the ill-advised shovel pass, intercepting the ball and rambling 52 yards to the El Camino 2-yard line to secure the victory with one tick remaining on the clock.
Gates finished the game with 236 total rushing yards, putting him over the 1,000 mark on the season. Melton finished with three receptions for 69 yards and a pair of TD's. On defense, Brad Rife led the team with 12 tackles while Rico Russo added 11 stops and Chris Cole contributed 10, including three for lost yardage. Punter Tim Grasso had two kicks for an average of 45.5 yards each.
Saddleback will be seeded No. 1 in the regional playoffs and will host the National Bowl next Saturday, November 18, at 5:00 p.m.
SADDLEBACK REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH WIN OVER SANTA ANA
The Saddleback football team made quick work out of Santa Ana, literally, by beating the Dons 24-12 in the Santa Ana Bowl Saturday afternoon in just 2 hours, 20 minutes.
Sophomore running back PT Gates carried the ball 16 times for 125 yards, including a 30-yard TD run in the second quarter and an 11-yard scoring scamper early in the fourth quarter, to give Saddleback a 24-6 lead. He also caught four passes for 45 yards and returned a kickoff for 21 yards. Saddleback's third quarter scoring came on a 32 yard field goal by Eric Carr and a 17-yard pass play from Nick Nelson to Steve Melton requiring a great catch by Melton reaching high over his head while being hit by a Santa Ana defender.
Saddleback piled up 446 yards of offense on the afternoon (243 rushing, 203 passing) in just 58 plays for an average of 7.7 yards per play. The Gaucho defense limited Santa Ana to just 50 rushing yards on 21 carries and 337 yards overall (6.0 yards per play).
The victory keeps Saddleback undefeated through nine games this season and makes the Gauchos - ranked No. 1 in the nation - the only undefeated team in the state with one game to play. The Gauchos (9-0, 4-0 in the Mission Conference National Division) will host El Camino College on Saturday, November 11, at 5:00 p.m. Saddleback's 1996 National Champion football team will be honored at halftime of this game.
GAUCHOS CELEBRATE HOMECOMING WITH WIN OVER RUSTLERS
The Saddleback football team made sure that Homecoming was a happy one for its fans, running over the Golden West Rustlers (1-7, 0-3) by a 38-6 score.
Saddleback (8-0, 3-0) took a 28-3 lead into the locker room at halftime and was able to use several players off of the bench for most of the second half. Tailback PT Gates had four carries for 37 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter (runs of 11 and 4 yards) before leaving the game with Saddleback ahead 14-0. Quarterback Nick Nelson led all rushers with seven carries for 103 yards and two rushing TD's, including a 19-yard scamper to open the second quarter and a 17-yard run early in the third quarter. He also passed for 126 yards and a touchdown before being relieved by Seb Trujillo in the third quarter. Steve Melton was able to pull in five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown to lead all receivers.
The Saddleback defense was stifling, allowing the Rustlers to gain just 18 yards in the first half and just 98 total offensive yards for the game. The Gauchos sacked Rustler QB Les Obie seven times, including five sacks by Jake Killeen. Killeen ended up with eight tackles on the night, six of those were for lost yardage (-46). Charles Johnson had nine tackles to lead the Gauchos, while Patrick Tafua had 11 tackles for the Rustlers (7 solo stops).
Nelson was intercepted twice on the night, the first one leading to Jake Lipton's 43-yard field goal for the Rustlers. Lipton would add a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter and missed a 51-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. Those were the only three times that the Rustlers crossed the midfield stripe.
PIRATE SPECIAL TEAMS NEARLY END GAUCHO DREAMS
Orange Coast returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, the defense intercepted Saddleback quarterback for only the second time this season, and the Pirates forced the Gauchos to cough up the football twice. Then, in the second quarter . . . . .
It was a nightmarish beginning to a Mission Conference football game on Saturday (Oct. 21) at LeBard Stadium in Costa Mesa with none of the bounces going Saddleback's way for all of the first quarter and most of the first half. Fortunately for the Gauchos, Orange Coast was unable to generate any offense after taking a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter and Saddleback battled back to win the game 23-17 in overtime and remain unbeaten on the season.
Orange Coast's Brock Jaramillo kicked a 44-yard field goal just four minutes into the second quarter to give Orange Coast a 17-0 lead and it appeared that the Pirates would bury Saddleback before halftime. When the Pirates' defense stopped Saddleback on the next possession and the Gauchos were forced to punt from their own 23-yard line, it got worse. Tim Grasso's punt was partially blocked by the Pirates' special teams, but it took a Gaucho roll and kept rolling on the artificial turf until it was 39 yards downfield. That was the start of the good karma for Saddleback.
The Pirates (5-2, 0-2) moved the ball down to the Saddleback 10-yard line before the drive stalled. Jaramillo's 33-yard field goal attempt slipped wide right, allowing Saddleback to dodge its first bullet. The Gauchos (7-0, 2-0) tallied their first score on a 65-yard pass from Nick Nelson to Maurice Clark. On Orange Coast's first play of its next possession, Saddleback's Brad Rife forced a fumble and Justin Witzmann recovered at the OCC 30 yard line. Eric Carr kicked a 34-yard field goal at the end of the half to cut the deficit to 17-10.
It was Orange Coast's turn to blunder in the third quarter with a 17-yard punt. Saddleback converted that miscue into a game-tying touchdown after PT Gates ran for 12 yards, Andrew Nakihei scampered for 25 yards, then Nelson found Clark again for a 26-yard scoring strike.
The fourth quarter was mostly strategic ball control. Saddleback had a solid drive down to the Orange Coast 7-yard line but Nelson was intercepted by Chris Assily in the endzone to end the drive. After the Gaucho defense held OCC to lost yardage on the next drive, the Pirates again shanked a 22-yard punt to give Saddleback great field position. But the Pirate defense held strong and Scott Russell's field goal attempt of 47 yards fell just short with 1:19 to play.
Orange Coast had the ball first in overtime and moved it down to the Saddleback 2-yard line before Saddleback's goal line stand forced a field goal attempt. Jaramillo missed the chip shot wide right from 20 yards out. Saddleback's overtime possession ended in a touchdown as Nelson found Gates open at the 3-yard line and Gates stretched the ball across the goal line to end the game.
Saddleback will try to keep the winning streak alive during its homecoming game on Saturday, October 28. The Gauchos will host Golden West College at 5:00 p.m.
SADDLEBACK QUARTERBACK COMMITS TO COLORADO
Saddleback College quarterback Nick Nelson (Tesoro HS) confirmed that he has made an oral commitment to attend the University of Colorado next year.
Nelson was activated from the red shirt list after three games last season and became the team’s starting quarterback, leading the Gauchos to a 7-4 overall record and a victory over Mt. San Jacinto College in the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl. He was 105-for-179 (58.7 percent) on his pass attempts, throwing for 1,232 yards and 14 touchdowns while being intercepted seven times in seven games.
Through six games this season, Nelson is 81-for-130 (62.3 percent) for 1,239 yards. He has thrown 10 touchdown passes and has only been intercepted one time.
Nelson also played baseball for the Gauchos last season, batting .290 as a starting outfielder and helping the team to a 29-15 overall record and a post-season playoff berth.
NAKIHEI RUNS RAMPANT OVER CERRITOS
NORWALK - Saddleback freshman tailback Andrew Nakihei had just eight carries on Saturday night, but he made the most of every touch of the ball as he ran for 170 yards and four touchdowns as the Gauchos beat Cerritos College, 49-21.
. He had a 1-yard scoring run in the second quarter as Saddleback built a 21-0 halftime lead, then added scoring runs of 48 yards and three yards in the third quarter as the Gauchos went up 42-0. Cerritos scored twice in the fourth quarter against deep substitutions on the Saddleback defensive side of the ball before Nakihei had his most electrifying run. The ensuing kickoff following Cerritos's second score was called back due to a holding penalty and Saddleback had to start its drive from its own 17-yard line. But on the first play, Nakihei bolted 83 yards for his fourth score of the game.
"He was simply amazing. He has an extra gear when he sees an opening like that," said Don Butcher, Director of Football Operations at Saddleback College.
PT Gates handled most of the carries, lugging the ball 18 times for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns. And quarterback Nick Nelson was accurate when needed, completing 13 of his 18 pass attempts for 146 yards and nine first downs. Although he did not thrown any TD passes, Nelson also did not throw any interceptions and avoided any sacks. Nelson has thrown only one interception through the first six games, leading Saddleback to a 6-0 record and the top ranking in Southern California. The Gauchos were ranked No. 2 in the nation last week by The JC Grid-Wire.
Saddleback's defense allowed the Falcons just 70 total yards through the first three quarters (48 rushing yards, 22 passing yards). Led by Jake Killeen and Charles Johnson (four tackles each) and Brad Rife (three tackles, 26 yard fumble return for a touchdown), the Gauchos were on the verge of blanking a Cerritos team which hadn't been shut out since 1988. The Falcons were able to make the stats much more comparable after rushing for 133 yards and passing for 108 yards during three scoring drives in the fourth quarter against Saddleback's reserves.
The Gauchos will travel to Orange Coast College (5-1) for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against the Pirates on Saturday (Oct. 21).
GAUCHOS ROUT MT. SAC TO TAKE OVER TOP SPOT IN THE NATION
MISSION VIEJO - Saddleback pounded Mt. San Antonio 37-10 on Saturday in a matchup of the top two teams in Southern California behind the fleet-footedness of tailback PT Gates. Gates carried the ball 16 times for 103 yards and one touchdown. He also caught a team-high seven passes for 92 yards and two more touchdowns.
Saddleback was ranked No. 1 in Southern California and No. 4 in the nation. Mt. San Antonio was ranked No. 2 in Southern California but No. 1 in the nation (different polls). There will be no doubt after this weekend's game that Saddleback will hold the top spot in both polls.
The Gaucho defense picked off Mountie QB Jake Fadden three times, sacked him five times, broke up six passes, and recovered a fumble on the final play of the game which Chris Cole returned 98 yards for a touchdown. The defense limited the Mounties to just 68 rushing yards and 164 passing yards while the offense racked up 393 total yards (211 rushing, 182 passing). Linebacker Brad Rife was credited with 13 tackles including a sack and three tackles for lost yardage. Earl Wilson had eight tackles, one pass break up, and one tackle for lost yardage, and Rico Russo added five tackles, one tackle for lost yardage, one pass break up, and an interception which he returned 32 yards.
Saddleback (5-0) will have a bye this Saturday and will return for the start of Mission Conference National Division play on Saturday, October 14, at Cerritos. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.
GAUCHOS RUN PAST FULLERTON
FULLERTON - Saddleback ran for 244 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-16 victory over Fullerton on Saturday night, showcasing a balanced offensive attack. Robbie Dubois gained 80 yards on just six carries, including a 51-yard TD trot on the team's first possession to give Saddleback a 7-0 lead just 85 seconds into the game. Andrew Nakihei gained 63 yards on just four carries and PT Gates added 16 carries for 41 yards and a pair of scoring runs to provide all of the offense the team would need on the evening.
Quarterback Nick Nelson went 12-of-18 for 222 yards and two touchdowns without getting sacked or throwing an interception. Both of his TD tosses ended up in the hands of Maurice Clark who finished with five catches for 101 yards. Backup quarterback Seb Trujillo was 2-for-2 for 17 yards. He also ran the ball three times for 31 yards, including a 2-yard run in the final minute to cap the scoring.
Saddleback held a 24-9 halftime lead and improved that margin to 34-9 before Fullerton scored early in the fourth quarter. But the Gauchos controlled the ball for nearly 11 minutes in the fourth quarter, scoring twice to ice the victory.
The Gauchos (4-0) were ranked No. 2 in Southern California last week but are expected to take over the top spot in the poll this week. They will host Mt. San Antonio College (4-0) on Saturday, September 30, at 5:00 p.m. in the campus stadium.
SADDLEBACK RANKED SECOND IN FIRST OFFICIAL POLL
SACRAMENTO - The first official COA poll was distributed Monday (September 18) and Saddleback was listed as the No. 2 team in Southern California behind Mission Conference National Division rival El Camino. El Camino received 12 first-place votes while Saddleback picked up the remaining 2 first-place votes from the 14-member panel. Mt. San Antonio, Saddleback's opponent in two weeks, was ranked third in the poll. This Saturday's opponent, Fullerton, is listed at No. 17 in the poll. Bakersfield (2-1) and Hancock (2-1), both of which suffered their only losses this season to Saddleback, sit at Nos. 13 and 14, respectively.
The COA poll is the official poll used to determine the playoff and bowl game participants at the end of the season.
GAUCHOS EDGE VIKINGS WITH SOLID DEFENSIVE EFFORT
MISSION VIEJO - During the previous four meetings with Long Beach City College, Saddleback had posted some pretty impressive numbers including scoring over 40 points in each of those outings. With a solid nucleus of sophomores on offense, it was expected that the Gauchos would light up the scoreboard again on a Viking team which was struggling with its own offensive abilities.
Saddleback sophomore running back PT Gates was held to just 78 rushing yards, but Gates accounted for three touchdowns to provide all of the offensive punch the Gauchos would need on this night. However, it was the Saddleback defense which came up with the big plays to thwart several Viking comeback attempts.
Sophomore cornerback Earl Wilson recorded 10 tackles and two interceptions to lead the defensive charge. Rico Russo also added 10 tackles and sophomore linebacker Brad Rife accounted for nine tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Leading 19-17, Saddleback was forced to punt the ball over to the Vikings with 5:35 to play in the game. Long Beach started the drive on its own 15 yard line when tailback Paul Robinson was dropped for a 1-yard loss by Jake Killeen and Michael Ciaccio. Robinson caught a 6-yard pass on second down to give the Vikings a 3rd-and-5, but QB Josh Powell was sacked by Charles Johnson. The Vikings didn't want to punt the ball away so they gambled on fourth down. But Powell was sacked again, this time by Chris Cole and the Gauchos took over on downs at the Long Beach 18 yard line. Three plays later, Gates sealed the victory for Saddleback with a 13-yard scoring run.
GAUCHOS RUN OVER RENEGADES
MISSION VIEJO - Sophomore running back PT Gates already had 90 rushing yards to his credit when time expired to end the first quarter. Although he wouldn't score a touchdown until midway through the third quarter, he proved to be the Gauchos' workhorse as he accumulated 180 rushing yards and 18 receiving yards to lead Saddleback to a 48-21 victory over Bakersfield on Saturday night (Sept. 9).
Sophomore quarterback Nick Nelson had another solid evening, completing 14 of 19 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Nelson also ran for a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter and was replaced in the fourth quarter. Donald Hawthorne, Maurice Clark and Robbie Dubois each had TD receptions for the Gauchos.
Saddleback's only flaw on the evening was in kick scoring where Bakersfield blocked Saddleback's first PAT attempt and then blocked a field goal attempt early in the second quarter and returned it 71 yards for a score. However, Saddleback's punting game was superb as Tim Grasso belted four punts for 176 yards (44.0 average) including a pooch punt that was bobbled on the three yard line by the Gauchos before slipping into the endzone for a touchback.
Rico Russo returned three Renegade punts for 79 yards and the Saddleback defense was only on the field for 44 plays. Saddleback accumulated 23 first downs and 463 total yards while Bakersfield was limited to just eight first downs and 277 total yards.
McELROY PICKS UP MILESTONE VICTORY
SANTA MARIA - Saddleback head football coach Mark McElroy picked up his 50th community college coaching victory on Saturday (September 2) as he guided the Gauchos to a 38-13 victory over the Allan Hancock Bulldogs in Santa Maria in the season-opener for the 2006 campaign.
Through his first seven complete seasons at Saddleback, McElroy had built a 49-28 record for an average of seven wins and four losses per year. Ironically, that is Saddleback's all-time win-loss average over the past 38 seasons.
GAUCHOS UPEND BULLDOGS IN SEASON-OPENER
SANTA MARIA - The Gauchos used a pair of 86-yard touchdown tosses in the third quarter to break open a 10-6 score and run away from Allan Hancock, 38-13, in the season-opener for both schools.
Sophomore QB Nick Nelson found TE Adam Goodman over the middle for an 86-yard touchdown pass just two minutes into the third quarter. The ball traveled about six yards in the air and Goodman covered the remaining 80 yards by foot after breaking the first tackle.
Five minutes later at the exact same spot, Nelson found WR Steve Melton on the right sideline. Melton caught the ball over the defense, cut in and picked up a couple of blocks that sprung him for another 86-yard touchdown.
Saddleback added a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Robbie DuBois rumbled in for his second 1-yard scoring dive of the game and Andrew Nakihei showcased his running speed late in the game as he turned the corner and outran the entire defense on a 22-yard scoring run with just under 1:30 to play.
The Gaucho defense played well, as expected, in the opening game. On Hancock's opening drive Daniel Urias stepped in front of a Bulldog pass, intercepting the ball near midfield and returning it deep in Hancock territory to set up Saddleback's first score. Marques Cooper added an interception late in the fourth quarter off a deflected pass which ended Hancock's final drive and allowed Saddleback to run out the clock.
Saddleback (1-0) will host Bakersfield (1-0) on Saturday, September 9, at home. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. Bakersfield is coming off of a 31-24 double-overtime victory over Fullerton in the season opener.
FORMER GAUCHO COLT BRENNAN NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-WAC TEAM
HONOLULU - Four University of Hawai'i Warrior football players were named to the preseason all-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) team by The Sporting News. Wide receiver Davone Bess (5-10, 187), offensive tackle Tala Esera (6-4, 295), quarterback Colt Brennan (6-3, 190), and defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis (6-5, 250), were all first-team all-WAC predictions. Brennan was also tabbed as WAC Offensive Player of the Year. The national publication will publish the Preseason all-WAC team in June.
Brennan, a junior out of Saddleback Community College, led the nation in several statistical categories last season, including total offense (371.3), passing yards (4,301), passing yards per game (358.4), touchdown passes (35), and points responsible for per game (19.17).
Bess, Brennan, Alama-Francis, and offensive lineman Samson Satele (6-3, 311) were also ranked nationally at their position. Brennan is ranked as the fifth-best quarterback in the nation.
TEN GAUCHO GRIDDERS SLATED FOR STARTING POSITIONS ON MAJOR DIVISION I FOOTBALL TEAMS
At the conclusion of spring football practices at the NCAA Division I level, there are currently 10 former Saddleback College gridders penciled in as starters on their respective teams according to Don Butcher, Director of Football Operations at Saddleback College.
Butcher, who spent 29 years as the linebackers coach at Saddleback before taking over the football office position in 2005, is in charge of both recruiting and placement of student-athletes. He keeps tabs on the progress and accomplishments of all of Saddleback’s former football players, especially the defensive players he coached.
“Ten guys scheduled to start at high-profile colleges if the season started today . . . that’s a lot of guys. There’s probably not another college in the conference that can claim 10 guys starting at high-profile programs,” Butcher said.
Most noteworthy include quarterback Colt Brennan (Mater Dei HS) who took over the starting position in the third game of the season for the University of Hawaii last season and went on to lead the nation in passing, and fifth-year senior Ryan Powdrell (Mission Viejo HS) who was recruited as a linebacker by the University of Southern California but converted into a fullback this spring. He played both positions at Mission Viejo High School and was primarily used as a linebacker at Saddleback but did see time on the offensive side of the ball in certain circumstances.
Jerard Rabb (El Modena HS) was the leading receiver at Boise State this past season and is expected to lead the team in that statistic again in 2006.
Recent transfers off of Saddleback’s 2005 team who are expected to make an immediate impact include Andrew Larson (Laguna Hills HS), who will handle the punting duties at Cal-Berkeley, and Ian Hammond (Trabuco Hills HS), who will be an offensive lineman and long snapper at Syracuse.
The 10 players who finished spring practices at the top of the depth charts at their respective universities include:
Colt Brennan QB University of Hawaii
Ryan Powdrell FB University of Southern California
Jerard Rabb WR Boise State University
Matt Pattison LB University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Chris Bowser OT University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Paul Como DE University of Kansas
Jay Dixon DE University of Nevada
Scott Lee LB University of Houston
Ian Hammond OL/LS Syracuse University
Andrew Larson P Cal - Berkeley