Fullerton’s Winning Streak on Line Against Saddleback

Fullerton’s showdown for first place with Santa Ana is still a week away, but there’s no chance the Hornets will be looking ahead today.

That’s because Fullerton is at Saddleback, the two-time defending Mission Conference Central Division champion that still has a chance at a third.

Fullerton, ranked ninth in Southern California, comes into the 1 p.m. game with a five-game winning streak. The Hornets (5-2, 3-0 in the division) also are coming off their best performance of the season, a 33-7 victory over Golden West.

Quarterback Geoff Berg completed 19 of 34 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns and has thrown for 1,050 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

The defense also played its best game. Golden West’s only touchdown came on a two-yard drive after the Rustlers recovered a fumbled punt in the first quarter.

Fullerton needs a victory to keep pace with Santa Ana (4-3, 3-0) which hosts Orange Coast (0-7, 0-4) at 1 p.m. at Santa Ana Stadium. Santa Ana and Fullerton will meet Nov. 15 at Cal State Fullerton.

Saddleback (4-3, 2-1) also performed well last week in stopping a two-game losing streak with a 34-0 victory over Orange Coast. But Fullerton’s defense--led by linebackers Donnie Gunritz and Jeff Wucinich--should be much more difficult to move the ball against.

In another divisional game:

Riverside (3-4, 2-1) vs. Golden West (2-5, 1-3), Orange Coast, 1 p.m.--Both teams have struggled on defense. Riverside is 11th in the 13-team conference, giving up 393 yards per game. Golden West is 12th giving up 403 yards.