Cats win fourth straight

The Saddleback football team improved to 6-1 for the season after a 59-41 win over San Diego Mesa College on Saturday afternoon inside the stadium.  The Bobcats rolled up 540 yards of offense in the win.

Saddleback's offense was clicking on all cylinders on Saturday.  The Bobcats scored in four plays on their opening drive, going 75 yards in 1:24.  Kavaughn Clark capped off the drive with a 22-yard run, and the Bobcats were off and running.

Mesa kept things close until the second half, taking advantage of a number of Saddleback penalties.  The Olympians cut the lead to 17-13 with 27 seconds remaining after Joshua Hoffman Lees hit a 47-yard field goal.  Despite the close score, Saddleback had 324 yards of offense in the opening half.

Saddleback started the second half on defense and after a quick three-and-out the offense took over on their own 21 yard-line.  The Bobcats scored in three plays, with Tyler Dudden connecting with Francisco Martinez on a 62-yard score.

Saddleback then opened up a big lead by the end of the quarter.  Darrien Campbell scored from three yards out to give the Bobcats a 31-13 lead with 9:22 remaining in the third quarter.  Three minutes later, Jacob Sekiyoba stepped in front of a Mesa pass and returned it 45 yards for a score to give Saddleback a 38-13 advantage.

The two teams made a track meet out of the final quarter, trading touchdowns at a ferocious pace.  The two teams had six touchdowns in 8:02, with each team scoring three times.

Saddleback finished with a 540-455 advantage in total yardage.  Nicky Johnson finished 9-for-12 with 168 yards passing while Tyler Dudden was 6-of-9 for 122 yards and two touchdown passes.  Kavaughn Clark led a potent rushing attack that finished the afternoon with 250 yards rushing.  Clark (pictured) had 79 yards and two scores while Darrien Campbell had 49 yards and a score.  Francisco Martinez led the receiving crew, finishing with 117 yards receiving and a score on four catches.

Saddleback defense was led by defensive lineman Luke Averell, who finished with seven total tackles for the afternoon.  The Bobcats spent a lot of time in the Olympian backfield, recording three sacks and six tackles-for-loss. 

Saddleback is now 6-1 overall and 4-0 in National Division Southern League play.  The Bobcats will travel to Palomar College next Saturday.  The kickoff is set for 6:00 PM. 

GAME NOTE:  The 100 combined points between Saddleback and Mesa was the 10^th highest scoring game in Saddleback history.