Marcellus Chrishon

CIF Southern Section administrators Thursday ruled that running back Marcellus Chrishon of Mission Viejo High is eligible to continue playing football after school officials presented evidence that his mother, Rose Davis, is living within the school's attendance area. Chrishon's eligibility at Mission Viejo was questioned because section officials failed to receive a transfer-eligibility request or a hardship appeal when he transferred from Temecula Valley to Mission Viejo last July.

After each Saddleback game this season, the scene has been pretty much the same for running back Marcellus Chrishon. He stands near the center of the field, where reporters and well-wishers line up to talk with and congratulate him on his performance. Once the procession included a weary defender. "Hey 22, what year are you?" he asked. "Sophomore," Chrishon said with a polite smile. "Good," the defender answered. "I won't face you next season."

Saddleback's offense seemed to be in hiding for most of the second half until it was really needed Saturday night. The Gauchos then rallied for a game-clinching touchdown and a 28-14 victory over Riverside in a Mission Conference Central Division game at Saddleback. Saddleback (7-1, 3-0) led, 21-6, at the half and seemed content to let its talented defense keep Riverside under control. The defense recovered five fumbles, had an interception and blocked a point-after attempt.

College: Saddleback Sport: Football Position: Running Back Class: Sophomore After losing two yards the first time he touched the ball on a screen pass, Chrishon went on to have an outstanding game as Saddleback beat Southwestern, 48-0, Saturday. He rushed for 237 yards and scored four touchdowns in 14 carries. His first touchdown came on a run of 90 yards, the longest running play in Saddleback history. Chrishon also scored on runs of 67, one and six yards.

After each Saddleback game this season, the scene has been pretty much the same for running back Marcellus Chrishon. He stands near the center of the field, where reporters and well-wishers line up to talk with and congratulate him on his performance. Once the procession included a weary defender. "Hey 22, what year are you?" he asked. "Sophomore," Chrishon said with a polite smile. "Good," the defender answered. "I won't face you next season."

College: Saddleback Sport: Football Position: Running Back Class: Sophomore After losing two yards the first time he touched the ball on a screen pass, Chrishon went on to have an outstanding game as Saddleback beat Southwestern, 48-0, Saturday. He rushed for 237 yards and scored four touchdowns in 14 carries. His first touchdown came on a run of 90 yards, the longest running play in Saddleback history. Chrishon also scored on runs of 67, one and six yards.

Mission Viejo 14, Oceanside El Camino 6--Running back Marcellus Chrishon gained 72 yards in 16 carries and scored a touchdown to lead the Diablos (2-1) to a win over the defending San Diego Section 2-A division champion Friday night. In eight-man football: Cal Lutheran 56, Southeast Lutheran 6--Brad Pluckhan rushed for three touchdowns and returned a blocked punt for a fourth score in a nonleague victory at Cal Lutheran (3-0).

Offensive MVPs: Marcellus Chrishon, Mission Viejo. Rob Johnson, El Toro. Tony Solliday, Capistrano Valley. Defensive MVPs: Jeremy Brion, Capistrano Valley. Bill Denny, Mission Viejo. Team Overall League PF PA Mission Viejo 11-2 5-0 425 220 El Toro 11-2 4-1 398 125 Capistrano Valley 12-2 3-2 409 239 Irvine 6-4 2-3 175 162 Dana Hills 4-5-1 1-4 184 202 San Clemente 4-6 0-5 207 249

The athletic eligibility of Mission Viejo High School's best running back is being investigated, opening up the possibility that the football team may have to forfeit its five victories this season.

Marcellus Chrishon rushed for 237 yards and four touchdowns in 14 carries to lead Saddleback (2-0), the top-ranked team on the JC Grid-Wire, to a 48-0 victory over Southwestern. Chrishon scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, including one on a 90-yard run that set a Saddleback record. Allen Perlas scored on a one-yard run in the first quarter as the Gauchos jumped to 21-0 first-quarter leadand led, 41-0, at halftime.

Saddleback's offense seemed to be in hiding for most of the second half until it was really needed Saturday night. The Gauchos then rallied for a game-clinching touchdown and a 28-14 victory over Riverside in a Mission Conference Central Division game at Saddleback. Saddleback (7-1, 3-0) led, 21-6, at the half and seemed content to let its talented defense keep Riverside under control. The defense recovered five fumbles, had an interception and blocked a point-after attempt.

CIF Southern Section administrators Thursday ruled that running back Marcellus Chrishon of Mission Viejo High is eligible to continue playing football after school officials presented evidence that his mother, Rose Davis, is living within the school's attendance area. Chrishon's eligibility at Mission Viejo was questioned because section officials failed to receive a transfer-eligibility request or a hardship appeal when he transferred from Temecula Valley to Mission Viejo last July.

Derek Sparks of Mater Dei has been the most talked about high school running back in Orange County this season. However, Saturday night against Mission Viejo, his name was hardly mentioned. Most of the 4,000 attending the Southern Section nonleague showdown at Mission Viejo turned their attention to Marcellus Chrishon, a relative unknown who rushed for 200 yards in 21 carries and scored four touchdowns to lead Mission Viejo to a 42-23 victory.