PHOTOS: Golden West makes history, winning title and finishing undefeated

Golden West College players celebrate after winning the conference title. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone)

It would be like asking a parent to identify their favorite child.

Take Nick Mitchell for example. In his 16^th year as head coach at Golden West College has just accomplished something never before done in Rustler history … finish a football regular season undefeated (10-0).

The Rustlers achieved that historic first Saturday afternoon, subduing rival Fullerton College 12-7 in a battle for the Southern League title.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

As the head coach of the Rustlers, Mitchell is obviously proud of everyone involved in this storybook season, but he also the defensive coordinator and it was his defense that was particularly decisive in Saturday’s steamy contest where game-time temperatures climbed into the 90s.

Twice in the fourth quarter alone, the Rustler defense, small by JC standards but lightning quick, turned away Fullerton threats.

The first time, early in the quarter where Fullerton led 7-3 and was on the verge of scoring a second time, earning a first down at the Golden West 15.

That’s where the Rustler defense took charge. On first down, Rustler Paplo Araya sacked Fullerton quarterback Chandler Galban for an 11-yard loss. Fullerton was called for holding on second down and it was now 2^nd-and-31 at the GW 36. Galban threw three incomplete passes, two when pressured by Da’Vonte Dillard and Josue Alexander,

Golden West took over on its own 25 where the Golden West drive began slowly with an incomplete pass and a 5-yard penalty. That’s when Torrance Wiseman pulled the momentum back to the Rustlers. He caught a short pass from quarterback Jake Ratzell and turned it into a 66-yard gain, advancing the ball to the Fullerton 14.  Four plays later Mike Carrillo scored from three yards out and Golden West led 10-7.

The Hornets responded, Kashan Griffin returning the ensuing kickoff 62 yards and Fullerton eventually reached the Golden West 1-yard line.

Here, the Golden West defense responded again, with Rustlers Codie Sayvao and Xavier Streeter stopping Fullerton’s Branden Rankins a yard short of the end zone on fourth down.

 From the one, Golden West had an incomplete pass and then an 8-yard connection before Wiseman again broke a 66-yard gain on a short pass from Retzlaff to get the Rustlers out of trouble.

Fullerton’s lone score came on a 17-yard pass from Galban to Braedin Hoffman in the third quarter. Golden West also had a field goal, 39 yards by Jake Cipress and a safety, when Galban fumbled into the end zone with less than a minute to play and a Hornet lineman picked up the ball and threw an illegal pass (to another lineman).

Golden West (10-0, 4-0) entered the game ranked fourth in the state, Fullerton (7-3, 3-1) was ranked seventh. Fullerton has one game remaining, Saturday (6 p.m.) at San Diego Mesa, a game that was postponed from earlier in the season. Both teams will be watching for bowl and playoff pairings, which will be announced Nov. 22.

Statistical leaders for Saturday’s game included the Rustlers’ Retzlaff, who completed 27 of 48 passes for 392 yards and Wiseman, who caught eight passes for 187 yards. Defensively, Fullerton’s Chandler Brown had 12 tackles and intercepted a pass.

—Courtesy Jim McCormack for OC Sports Zone