HUNTINGTON BEACH – Quarterback Will Burns was masterful, throwing five of his eight passes for touchdowns, while the Golden West College defense held rival Orange Coast College to 134 yards of offense as the No. 6 state-ranked Rustlers were dominant in a 49-10 win in the 54th meeting of the "Battle of the Bell" game on Thursday at Rustler Stadium.
The National Central League victory improved Golden West to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in league play.
The win also marked the Rustlers' eighth straight over the Pirates, dating back to the 2016 season. GWC has taken 12 of the last 13 meetings between the rivals with Orange Coast's last victory coming in 2015.
On Thursday, the Rustlers' quarterbacks put on a clinic in passing. A trio of Golden West QBs, led by Burns, combined to complete 15 of 16 passes for 277 yards with 6 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Burns was a perfect 8 for 8 for 175 yards in the contest, with five of those passes going for TDs. Four came in the opening half as he tossed touchdowns to Robert Sarmiento (27 yards) and Colin Payne (30 yards) in the first quarter and connected with Burke Mickelson (25 yards) and Dominic Thompson (14 yards) in the second.
Camdyn Steigler, who completed 4 of 5 passes for 60 yards, also snuck in for a 1-yard rushing TD in the second quarter and the Rustlers took a commanding 35-3 lead into halftime.
Burns added a 39-yard touchdown pass to Payne, his second of the day, midway through the third quarter before ending his afternoon under center. AJ Moore closed out the game at quarterback for the Rustlers and was 3 for 3 for 42 yards, including the Rustlers' final score, a 20-yard TD to Micah Mauer with 4:38 left to play in the fourth quarter.
Golden West totaled 216 yards rushing, led by 70 yards from Burns on 5 carries. Aaron Mitchell also ran 7 times for 53 yards.
The Rustlers' defense allowed just 59 yards passing and held OCC to 75 yards rushing. Golden West forced 5 fumbles and intercepted a pass. Christian Petero led with 7 tackles, a pair of forced fumbles, and was in on a sack. Ryan Walked added 2 tackles and had the Rustlers' interception of Zach Congalton.
Golden West is off again next week (Oct. 26) after San Bernardino Valley College cancelled the remainder of its season. The Rustlers are back in action on Nov. 2 when they travel to Long Beach City College for a 6 p.m. Central League game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
