Gauchos streak past Lancers

The Saddleback football team improved to 3-0 on Saturday with a 53-28 win at Pasadena City College.  The Gauchos led 25-0 in the opening quarter en route to the win.

Saddleback scored on the opening drive when Chance Nolan found Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda for a 54-yard touchdown pass.  After a 2-point conversion the Gauchos led 8-0 with 12:52 remaining in the opening quarter.

Following a quick three-and-out from the defense, Saddleback took the ball over at their own 48 yard line.  Seven plays later they were back in the end zone when Nolan found Liam Eldridge for a 12-yard touchdown pass and a 15-0 lead with 9:19 on the clock.

Saddleback wasn't finished.  The Gauchos then engineered a 13-play drive that ended with a 39-yard field goal from Matthew Freem for an 18-0 lead with 3:08 remaining in the opening quarter.  The defense then had another three-and-out and got the ball back with 1:35 remaining in the opening quarter at the PCC 15-yard-line after a 33-yard punt return from Cole Harrity.  Two plays later, Nolan found Harrity along the sidelines for a 14-yard score and the route was on.

Saddleback led 32-14 at the half, rolling up 278 yards in the opening 30 minutes.  The second half started the same way the first half started, with the Gauchos driving 53 yards in eight plays.  Jonathan Jefferson capped off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run, increasing the lead to 39-14. 

Despite the big lead, Nolan's night wasn't done.  He later broke a couple of tackles for a 13-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds remaining in the third quarter as Saddleback built a 46-14 lead. 

Elijah Jefferson finished off the scoring for the Gauchos with a 9-yard touchdown run as Saddleback tacked on an extra touchdown down the stretch for a 53-28 lead in the closing minutes.

Nolan finished the night 19-of-27 for 189 yards passing and three touchdowns.  He also led the team in rushing, gaining 110 yards on the ground with two more scores.  Nolan has now thrown 11 touchdown passes and run for two more scores in the first three games of the season.

Saddleback finished with a 475-to-283 advantage in total yards for the game.  The defense was led by Tyriek Bell, who finished with nine total tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

Saddleback will be back in action next Saturday when they host Moorpark College.  The game is scheduled to start at 6:00 PM at Mission Viejo High School.