Gauchos survive historic thriller

On a weekend when many are thinking about Halloween, the Gauchos received a bit of a scare down in San Diego on Saturday afternoon at Grossmont College.  The Gauchos survived with a 57-55 win over the Griffins, with the two teams setting a record.

Saddleback and Grossmont combined for 112 points, breaking the old record of 110 when the Gauchos and Fullerton played three overtimes in 1998 with the Hornets winning, 58-52.  This one only took four quarters, however, with the final quarter being a classic.  The two teams each scored four times in the fourth quarter, with the final five scores taking less than five minutes off the clock.

Saddleback received a big game from Deondre Moore, who found himself in the thick of things for the second straight week.  Moore scored his first touchdown by taking back a punt 48 yards to start the second quarter, giving the Gauchos a 15-10 lead.  Later in the third quarter with Saddleback clinging to a 36-34 lead, Moore caught a 25-yard pass from Nick Robinson to increase the lead to nine.  After Grossmont again closed the gap to two in the fourth quarter, Moore scored his third touchdown of the game on a 49-yard strike from Robinson.  Moore would finish with four catches for 88 yards and now has seven touchdowns for the year.

Saddleback and Grossmont combined for 28 penalties, something that has become common place in 2016.  The two teams also had a combined seven turnovers, with Saddleback coughing up four fumbles.  The Gaucho defense and special teams came up huge.  In addition to Moore's punt return, Sefo Mailangi taking an interception back 31 yards for a touchdown while Colin Kentros picked up an on-sides kick attempt and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. 

With the win, Saddleback is now 7-1 overall and 2-1 in National Division Southern League play.  The Gauchos are now tied with Fullerton for second place, one game back of Golden West in the standings.  Saddleback travels to Palomar this Saturday to take on the Comets at 6:00 PM.