Cats get Fischer first win

The Saddleback football team defeated Pasadena City College, 28-21, on Saturday night in Pasadena.  It was the first win for new head coach Jeff Fischer. 

Saddleback opened the Fischer era with a win over a Pasadena City program that won the American Division championship last fall before making the jump up to the National Division for the 2025 season.  The Bobcats managed to pull out a win despite 17 penalties and some untimely turnovers. 

Saddleback led 21-6 at the intermission, running the ball and using its big offensive line to average over five-yards-per-carry in the opening 30 minutes.   Kavaughn Clark scored the opening touchdown when he scored from three yards out for a 7-0 lead with 4:58 left in the opening quarter.  The Bobcats made the score 14-3 with 11:55 left in the half when quarterback Nicky Johnson found tight end Niko Lopez for a 16-yard score.  Saddleback capped off the half with an 11-yard scamper from Tyler Dudden with under a minute remaining for a 21-6 advantage. 

Pasadena City cut the lead to 21-13 when quarterback Max Grizzell made a couple of big plays to keep the Lancers in the hunt.  He scrambled for 25 yards on third and long to keep a drive alive and the Lancers cashed in when Grizzell found Javery Mayberry for a 1-yard score.

Saddleback's lead further evaporated due to a number of untimely penalties and a key turnover.  The Bobcats went on a 13-play drive that was cut short when Dudden was picked off in the end zone on third and goal from the 11-yard line.  Pasadena proceeded to score on three plays when Grizzell found Ethan Hubbell on an 80-yard scoring strike and the Lancers capped it off with a two-point conversion to tie the game. 

Saddleback's defense and special teams took control of the rest of the game.  The Bobcats scored the eventual game-winning touchdown when Ben Stewart returned a punt 56 yards to give Saddleback a 28-21 lead with 13:10 remaining.  On the very next play Pasadena returned the kickoff for a touchdown, only to see it nullified due to a holding call.  The Lancers then went three-and -out to give the ball back to the Bobcats.

Pasadena City had another chance midway through the quarter that came up empty when Saddleback stifled the Lancers inside the five yard-line.  The Bobcats regained possession when Grizzell misfired on fourth and goal to turn the ball over on downs.

Pasadena had one final opportunity to tie the game when they took over the ball at their own 46-yard line with 3:10 remaining.  Four plays later the Bobcats celebrated when Grizzell was sacked by Alex Newcomb on fourth and long.

Despite the close score, Saddleback held a 427-287 advantage in total yardage.  The Bobcats finished with 234 yards on the ground, led by Kalelepono Wong (67 yards on 11 carries).  Johnson finished 11-for-16 for 118 yards passing and one score while Nicholas Gentilella led the Bobcats with five catches for 97 yards.

Noah Luginbill was a force on defense for Saddleback, leading the team with seven tackles, three tackles-for-loss and one quarterback hurry. 

Saddleback will attempt to improve to 2-0 next week when they host Citrus College in the home-opener.  The Bobcats (1-0) and Owls (1-0) are scheduled to start at 6:00 PM inside the stadium. 

GAME NOTE:  The win was the first for first year coach Jeff Fischer (below), who spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach under Kerry Crabb.