Tim Snowden

The drill has been pretty much the same at Saddleback football games this season. The Gaucho defense shuts down the opponent, and running back Marcellus Chrishon breaks a couple of key runs. Saddleback stuck to that pattern Saturday night against stubborn Orange Coast, which matched the Gauchos on defense for most of the way but finally fell, 17-12, in a Mission Conference game in front of about 3,500 at OCC.

Saddleback's offense was unable to put the game away, but the defense did, and the Gauchos completed an undefeated season with a 17-14 victory over Riverside in a Mission Conference Central Division football game Saturday. Saddleback took a 17-7 lead, when the Gauchos' Mark Reynosa was stopped for no gain on fourth and one at the Riverside 10 with four minutes 48 seconds left. Riverside then drove to the two. Ryan Pizinger scored on a two-yard run with 2:03 left to play.

Saddleback's offense was unable to put the game away, but the defense did, and the Gauchos completed an undefeated season with a 17-14 victory over Riverside in a Mission Conference Central Division football game Saturday. Saddleback took a 17-7 lead, when the Gauchos' Mark Reynosa was stopped for no gain on fourth and one at the Riverside 10 with four minutes 48 seconds left. Riverside then drove to the two. Ryan Pizinger scored on a two-yard run with 2:03 left to play.

The drill has been pretty much the same at Saddleback football games this season. The Gaucho defense shuts down the opponent, and running back Marcellus Chrishon breaks a couple of key runs. Saddleback stuck to that pattern Saturday night against stubborn Orange Coast, which matched the Gauchos on defense for most of the way but finally fell, 17-12, in a Mission Conference game in front of about 3,500 at OCC.

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.

Saddleback tailback Marcellus Chrishon seems to redefine his excellence every Saturday night. Chrishon, who has scored four touchdowns twice in a game this season, had five Saturday as the Gauchos routed Fullerton, 41-12, in a Mission Conference Central Division game. Chrishon was held to 84 yards in 15 carries in the first half but had 130 yards in 15 carries in the second half.

When Tim Snowden came to Saddleback College, he knew he'd need to pick up several things if he was going to be the No. 1 quarterback. He'd have to learn the Gauchos' intricate offense, and how to read defenses more complicated than ones he faced while playing at Mission Viejo High School. But the first, and maybe most important, thing he picked up was the golf bag of Saddleback offensive coordinator Bill Cunerty.

In another Mission Conference Central Division football game: Saddleback 31, Rancho Santiago 7--Quarterback Tim Snowden passed for 270 yards and threw for three touchdowns to lead Saddleback (9-1, 5-0) past visiting Rancho Santiago (2-8, 1-4). Jason Vivonia had two touchdown receptions for Saddleback. Saddleback will play Dec. 7 in the Simple Green Orange County Bowl.

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.

San Clemente High School, riding a four-game winning streak, opens South Coast League play against perennial power Mission Viejo at 5:30 tonight at Mission Viejo High. San Clemente (4-1) hasn't won a league game in three years and has a 2-24 league record over the past five seasons. San Clemente is coming off a 35-21 victory over San Diego Madison in which quarterback Ken Dolan passed for 176 yards and four touchdowns.

Saddleback tailback Marcellus Chrishon seems to redefine his excellence every Saturday night. Chrishon, who has scored four touchdowns twice in a game this season, had five Saturday as the Gauchos routed Fullerton, 41-12, in a Mission Conference Central Division game. Chrishon was held to 84 yards in 15 carries in the first half but had 130 yards in 15 carries in the second half.

When Tim Snowden came to Saddleback College, he knew he'd need to pick up several things if he was going to be the No. 1 quarterback. He'd have to learn the Gauchos' intricate offense, and how to read defenses more complicated than ones he faced while playing at Mission Viejo High School. But the first, and maybe most important, thing he picked up was the golf bag of Saddleback offensive coordinator Bill Cunerty.

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.

Mission Viejo, ranked eighth in Orange County, had little trouble defeating host Crawford High School Thursday night at Madison High in front of 300 fans. The Diablos (3-1) scored a 39-0 nonleague victory over the Colts (1-3) behind the two touchdowns apiece scored by Beau LeBreton and Marcellus Chrishon. LeBreton was the game's early hero, rushing eight yards for a touchdown on Mission Viejo's first drive, a 60-yard, 10-play effort.