Bobcats blast Jags in league opener

The Saddleback football team opened National Division Southern League play with a 53-3 win against Southwestern College on Saturday night in Chula Vista.  It was the largest margin of victory since 2019.

Saddleback scored early and often in rolling up the score.  The Bobcats finished with 459 yards of offense, eclipsing the 450-yard mark for the second straight game.

Saddleback scored the first 44 points of the game and had a 37-0 lead at the half.  The Bobcats struck first when Trey Kukuk hit Marques Carrillo Edgar on a 42-yard strike with 10:51 remaining in the opening quarter.  It was the first of two touchdowns in the quarter for Kukuk, who would end up throwing four in the first half.

Saddleback opened the second half the way they opened the first, scoring early when Paolo Burak (pictured) raced 10 yards to put the Bobcats up 44-0.  Burak was part of a rushing attack that rolled up 194 yards rushing, averaging 5-yards-per-carry.

Saddleback's defense was tough, giving the Jaguars very little room to operate.  The Bobcats registered eight tackles-for-loss, one interception and two fumble recoveries in the win. 

Saddleback played three quarterbacks in the game in Kukuk, Branden Berwald and Joey Gentilella.  The trio finished 17-of-29 for 265 yards and five touchdowns.  Kenny Manassero led the Bobcats with 83 yards rushing on 10 carries.

Saddleback's 50-point win was the biggest since beating Orange Coast College 58-7 back in 2019.  It tied for the 11^th largest margin of victory in program history.

Saddleback is now 2-2 overall and 1-0 in Southern League play.  The Bobcats will continue league play next weekend when they host San Diego Mesa College.  The Bobcats and Olympians are scheduled to start at 6:00 PM inside the stadium.