Rancho Santiago Gets a Shot at Saddleback

Rancho Santiago is the last Orange County team to have a chance at stopping high-flying Saddleback, when the teams meet at 1 p.m. today at Santa Ana Stadium in a Mission Conference Central Division football game.

Saddleback brings in an impressive list of credentials. The Gauchos are 8-0, ranked second in the nation by the J.C. Grid-Wire and first in California.

Saddleback also is 4-0 and in first place in the Central Division. Plus, Saddleback has won 14 games in a row.

The Gauchos are one of three undefeated teams in the state. Sacramento (7-0) is third in the J.C. Grid-Wire top 25 and Hancock (8-0) is No. 19. The Gauchos end the regular season by hosting Riverside at 1 p.m. Nov. 16.

Rancho Santiago (4-3, 2-1) needs a victory to stay alive in the division race. To beat Saddleback, the Dons will need a strong effort from the defense, which is giving up an average of 18 points a game. Saddleback’s defense is giving up 15.

In another division game:

Golden West (1-6, 1-3) vs. Fullerton (3-4, 2-2), Fullerton HS, 7 p.m.--Golden West hopes to break a three-game losing streak during which the Rustlers have been outscored, 124-23. Fullerton started the season with two losses, then won three in a row, but has lost the last two.

In a conference game:

Long Beach (6-2) at Orange Coast (1-7), 1 p.m.--Orange Coast’s talented running backs William League (655 yards) and Chet Walker (410) meet Long Beach’s rushing defense, which is giving up a conference-low 58 yards per game.