Great Matchup, but How Many Will See It?

There’s little question about the quality of the matchup at Saturday’s Simple Green Orange County Bowl at Orange Coast College.

What game manager Doug Bennett is worried about is the quantity of spectators who show up to watch Grossmont (9-1) and El Camino (7-3) play at 1:30 p.m.

“It looks like an exciting game,” Bennett said. “I just hope we can get a decent crowd here.”

Most of the fall it looked as if Saddleback was bound for the game for a second consecutive year, but when Sacramento turned out to be the only other undefeated team in the state, the Gauchos went north. They beat host Sacramento, 37-28, in the Capital Shrine Bowl Saturday.

Saddleback Coach Bill Cunerty was also a little worried about taking his team away from the fans that supported it all year. But beating Sacramento on its home field improves Saddleback’s chances for a national championship.

Saddleback is ranked second and Blinn (Texas) first by the J.C. Grid-Wire. Blinn (11-0) ends the season against Coffeyville (Kan.) in the Mineral Water Bowl Saturday. Coffeyville is 9-1.

“I told the kids this gives us whatever chance there is,” Cunerty said. “That’s the best we can do.”

Bennett agreed with Saddleback’s decision but also knows he lost his best chance to fill the stadium. Now, the question is how many will follow El Camino from Torrance or Grossmont from El Cajon.

“We were a little disappointed that Saddleback went north,” Bennett said. “But it was the best thing for community college football.’ Most people knew it was the right thing to do.”

While the crowd might be slight Saturday, the number of college recruiters won’t be thanks in a large part to Grossmont sophomore quarterback Akili Smith. Because of his size (6 feet 4 and 220 pounds) and powerful arm, Smith is among the most recruited community college players in the nation. San Diego State is among his finalists.

Smith, who played two years of minor league baseball before coming to Grossmont, had a stunning year for the Griffins, who were the co-champions of the Foothill Conference. He was 183 for 333 for 2,896 yards with 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

El Camino quarterback Damon Ward also had a solid season as the Warriors were co-champions of the Mission Conference Northern Division.

Ward, a freshman, led the conference in passing yardage with 2,797. He was 217 for 384 with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.