Gauchos serve up Homecoming delight

The Saddleback football team surged to a 39-7 win over Golden West College on Saturday night at the Saddleback Stadium.   The Homecoming win was sparked by a number of big plays on the special teams.

Saddleback and Golden West combined for just 228 yards of offense in the opening half, but the Gauchos still managed a 15-0 lead at the intermission.  Saddleback can thank the special teams, which led to two, first half scores.

The Gauchos blocked a punt with just over six minutes remaining in the opening quarter when Christian Rabay busted through the line and batted a ball off the leg of Golden West punter James Baldwin.  Six plays later, quarterback Cam Humphrey found Clinton Allen on a slant pattern from six yards out and the Gauchos had a 7-0 lead.  It was the second blocked punt of the quarter for Rabay after Saddleback failed to capitalize on a block on the previous drive.  

On Golden West's next drive, the Rustler long-snapper then hiked the ball three feet over Baldwin's head on a punt attempt, giving Saddleback the ball deep in Rustler territory at the 17 yard line.   The Gauchos again took advantage when Humphrey found a seam on fourth and two and raced nine yards for another score.  Saddleback then went for two out of the swinging gate formation, and kicker Mateo Thompson lowered his shoulder for a 15-0 lead.

Despite having a two possession lead coming out of the locker room for the second half, Saddleback wasn't happy after totaling just 99 yards of offense over the first 30 minutes.  The Gauchos came out with a sense of urgency, streaking past the Rustlers in the second half on way to a comfortable win.  Saddleback rolled up 278 yards in the second half, including 220 through the air. 

Humphrey found Colin Kentros wide open in the back of the end zone with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter as the Gauchos opened up a 22-0 lead.  Saddleback put a nail on the coffin early in the fourth quarter when Jadon Digravio stepped in front of a Joe Pyle pass along the sideline and returned it 31 yards as the lead grew to 32-0.  On the following drive, quarterback Jack Telenko threw a perfect strike to Jermaine LaFleur from 25 yards and the rout was on.   Saddleback had the ball for nearly 18 minutes in the second half as the offense, defense and special teams were clicking on all cylinders. 

Saddleback is now 5-1 on the season and 1-0 in National Division Southern League play.  The Gauchos will get their toughest test of the season next week when they head to Fullerton to take on the defending state champions and top-ranked team in the state.  Game time is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Yorba Linda High School.