Gauchos outlast Pirates

MISSION VIEJO — At this advanced stage of the season, the Saddleback College football field, which is also home to two high school programs, is about 25% covered with dirt.

Those bald spots, as well as the remaining 75% natural grass surface is covered by the Saddleback offense.

Such was the case Saturday, as the host Gauchos overcame a prolific effort by visiting Orange Coast to claim a 48-38 Southern Conference National Division victory.

The Gauchos amassed 615 yards of offense, 354 of which came through the air, and 28 first downs on their way to what for them is a modest scoring performance. Three times this season, Saddleback (6-3, 4-1 in the division), ranked No. 6 in Southern California and No. 13 in the state, has scored at least 63 points and the Gauchos came in averaging 39 points per game.

“They’re the No. 3 offense in the state and they have a lot of quality guys to get the ball to,” said OCC Coach Mike Taylor, who praised his team’s effort.

OCC (4-4, 0-4), ranked No. 9 in SoCal and No. 19 in the state, meanwhile, which collected 369 of its 373 yards via the pass, produced its biggest scoring output of the season. It was the most points OCC has scored in its last 25 games, dating back to a 42-29 victory over Pasadena in 2006.

But, alas, it wasn’t enough for the Pirates, who saw their losing streak extended to four, seriously damaging their hopes of making a postseason bowl game.

Still, the Pirates, whose three previous division losses were by seven, one and eight points, proved they could hang with the best the division has to offer, despite often hanging their collective heads in disappointment as they left the field.

In a game of offensive fireworks, the difference may have been a special teams play, just moments after OCC scored on the final play of the third quarter to pull even, 31-31.

Saddleback returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to the OCC 49-yard line, then completed a pass for a 26-yard gain. But a holding penalty and two incomplete passes by sophomore quarterback Brian Shrock (17 for 27 for 330 yards with one touchdown and one interception) created fourth-and 20 at the Pirates’ 24.

Christian Lepore lined up for what appeared to be a 41-yard field goal.

Instead holder Cameron Chadwick fielded the snap, rose to his feet and rolled to his left, before flipping a pass to Ricky Pemasa, who ran untouched for a touchdown with 12:46 left in the game.