Saddleback celebrates 400th win

The Saddleback football team opened the 2022 campaign with a 30-16 win over Glendale College on Saturday night inside the Saddleback Stadium.  It was the 400^th win in program history.

Saddleback started slowly but picked up steam as the game rolled on.  The Bobcats gave up a big play to start the game when Glendale connected on a 75-yard scoring play from Nicholas Garcia to Artis Cole on the second play from scrimmage for a 7-0 lead.  Saddleback quickly answered by going 55 yards in seven plays, capped off by a two-yard touchdown run from Kenny Manassero. 

The two teams were tied at 10-10 late in the first half when Glendale struck to take the lead before the half with a 15-yard score from Garcia to Nicholas Johnson.  The Bobcats caught a break when the extra points bounced off the left upright and the Vaqueros entered the locker room with a 16-10 lead.

Saddleback came out with a sense of purpose in the second half.  The Bobcats engineered a nine play, 82-yard drive that took 4:27 to start the half.  Saddleback took the lead when Dartanyon Moussiaux flipped a ball out in the flat for Daniel Stokes (pictured), who broke two tackles and leaped into the end zone.  Connor Grace blasted the extra point through the middle of the uprights and Saddleback had a lead they would never relinquish. 

Grace wasn't finished, kicking two more field goals to finish a perfect 3-for-3 in field goals and 3-for-3 in extra points for the night.  The Bobcats pushed the lead to 27-16 at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Moussiaux found Zachary Roebuck alone in the back of the end zone for a score.  Saddleback would cruise the rest of the way for the win.

Saddleback was led in rushing by Jamari Ferrell, who finished with 12 carries for 125 yards.  Moussiaux finished 17-of-31 for 150 yards and two touchdown passes.  Stokes led the receiving corps with five catches for 50 yards and a score.

Saddleback's defense and special teams played well after the opening drive of the game.  Travis Arena spent a lot of time in the Glendale backfield, finishing with a team-high seven total tackles with two tackles-for-loss and one sack.  The Bobcats finished with seven tackles-for-loss, one interceptions and had blocked kicks by James McDonald and Jordan Smith. 

The win was No. 400 in the history of the program, dating back to 1968.  The first win for the program came against Barstow College (26-25) on October 5, 1968, in a game played at Mission Viejo High School.

Saddleback will try to make it 2-0 next Saturday when they travel to Mt. San Antonio College to take on the Mounties (1-0) at 6:00 PM.  Mt SAC was a 69-7 winner over Los Angeles Valley College on Saturday.