Golden West Tops Southwestern

COSTA MESA — Golden West discovered a new tailback tandem Friday night as the Rustlers hammered Southwestern, 49-10, at Orange Coast College.

Freshmen John Sims and Damien Cook combined for 160 rushing yards and five touchdowns and the Rustlers improved to 2-1 in the Central Division of the Mission Conference.

The Rustlers started the season with a host of strong tailbacks, but the numbers have dwindled. Thomas Green left the team, two others decided to be redshirted, and Mark Crowley suffered a season-ending broken leg last week.

Sims, who had rushed for just 60 yards this season, ran for a career-high 96 yards in 10 carries and scored on runs of two and six yards to help the Rustlers build a 35-3 lead by halftime. Cook contributed 64 yards in 12 carries and caught four passes for 114 yards, scoring on receptions of 62 and 31 yards and adding an 18-yard scoring run.

After losing a fumble on its first possession, Golden West scored on its next four possessions to lead, 28-0. Freshman quarterback Brian Schneider threw for 219 yards in the opening half and a career-best 266 yards in the game, completing 10 of 13 passes. He connected for three scores, two to Cook in addition to a 71-yard touchdown pass to Don Ruberio that opened the scoring seven minutes into the game.