Pasadena Rolls Past Santa Ana in Opener

So much for the idea of momentum carrying over from one season to the next for Santa Ana College’s football team.

The Dons, who won their last eight games last season and were ranked 22nd in the nation by the J.C. Grid-Wire to start this season, were defeated, 20-10, by Pasadena in a Mission Conference game Saturday at Santa Ana Stadium.

Everything seemed fine for Santa Ana at the half. The Dons led, 10-7, and were playing as well as expected in an opening game.

But Pasadena used a long drive to score one touchdown and a big play for another in the third quarter to take a 20-10 lead.

Trailing, Santa Ana’s offense was pressing and couldn’t come up with the key plays needed to mount a comeback.

“We just need to execute better,” Santa Ana Coach Dave Ogas said. “We thought coming in our offense would be better.”

Sophomore quarterback Archie Lappin finished with 171 yards passing and wide receiver Rob Caston caught nine passes for 95 yards, including one for a 27-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

But there could have been so much more for the two. Twice, Caston was wide open thanks to well-sold pump fakes by Lappin, but each time the quarterback’s pass was thrown five yards too far.

Santa Ana’s best chance to score in the second half came when the Dons reached the Pasadena eight-yard line with about four minutes left in the game. But Lappin was sacked for the sixth time and the Dons eventually turned it over on downs after an incomplete pass in the end zone on fourth down.

Lappin finished with 47 yards in a team-high 18 carries but lost 40 yards in sacks.

Pasadena, 2-8 last season, went 65 yards in nine plays to start the second half, with the touchdown coming on a five-yard run by quarterback Casey Preston. The score put the Lancers ahead, 13-10.

Santa Ana punted and a missed field-goal attempt in its next two possessions before Pasadena’s Preston threw an inside screen to Andre Cummings who picked up strong blocking then took advantage of two missed tackles to break into the clear for a 62-yard scoring play with four minutes 17 seconds left in the third quarter.

In other Mission Conference games:

El Camino 63, Golden West 23--John Leonard completed 14 of 22 passes for 218 yards to lead El Camino (1-0). Leonard, a former Mater Dei High quarterback, scored in the first quarter on a seven-yard run and threw five touchdown passes.

Mt. San Antonio 34, Saddleback 7--Mt. San Antonio, the defending national champion, spoiled the debut of Saddleback head coach Dick Stutz.

Saddleback quarterbacks combined for five interceptions, including four by starter Nick Tomasello in the first half.

Saddleback’s only score came on a four-yard run by quarterback Joe Cordova in the third quarter. The score was set up by a third-and-11, 40-yard scramble by Cordova to the Mt San Antonio nine-yard line.

Mt San Antonio linebacker Brian Berg had 14 tackles--nine solo--and one sack.

Fullerton 34, Orange Coast 24--Kevin Rodriguez threw for two touchdowns, including a 45-yard connection to Paul Wise in the fourth quarter.

James Zurn kicked four field goals for Fullerton.