Add It Up: Rancho Santiago Back on Top : Eight Returning Starters Will Help Solidify the Offense and Defense

There are two big reasons for all the anticipation surrounding Rancho Santiago College’s football program this fall.

One, Rancho Santiago returns quarterback Scott Wood and wide receiver Paul Peters, both standouts last season, a season that included a 17-10 victory over Moorpark in the PONY Bowl doubleheader. Two, the defense figures to be strong, returning six starters.

Wood split time with Eric Turner in all but one game last season, when Rancho Santiago compiled a 7-3-1 record. But Turner has moved on to Southwest Texas State, so Wood has the job to himself this season.

Despite playing part-time, Wood set a school record in connecting on 63.9% of his passes. He completed 92 of 144 attempts for 1,024 yards and six touchdowns, and had only three interceptions.

“It starts at the quarterback,” Rancho Santiago Coach Dave Ogas said. “And we think he will be one of the best around.”

Peters will be the focal point of Rancho Santiago’s special teams as well as a favorite target of Wood’s. Peters caught 33 passes for 699 yards including nine touchdowns, four from Wood. He also averaged 20.7 yards on kick returns and 16.5 yards on punts. Peters, a former track and football star at Santa Ana Valley High, returned two punts for scores.

“He even wants to be on the kickoff team,” Ogas said. “And we’re thinking about it. He needs to have the ball in his hands for us to do well.”

Rancho Santiago made its first bowl appearence since 1965 last season and also had its most victories--seven--since 1981. Ogas has a 36-34-1 record in seven years at Rancho Santiago.

Peters will be joined at wideout by Orange Coast College transfer Royal Wilbon. Lee Gasu returns at tight end but that’s the end of experienced offensive players for the Dons.

The biggest vacancy is left by all-conference running back Mike Miscione, who had 1,139 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Estrus Crayton, a freshman from Santa Ana High, will try to replace Miscione, who is playing at Cal State Long Beach.

The offensive line has no returning players, and Ogas is looking to sophomore center Pat Silva to pull the group together. Silva played little last season, but learned much from Chris Rose, an all-conference player. Sophomore Rick White and Jose Avalos, who also transferred from OCC, are expected to help, too.

“Obviously it’s an area of concern for us,” Ogas said. “We have some very good potential but not proven talent.”

Rancho Santiago’s strength is defense. Jim Ramsey, an all-conference and all-state linebacker, Ramsey became a starter in the third game and went on to lead the team with 98 tackles. He also had an interception.

Fred Soares also returns at linebacker, where he had three interceptions and 63 tackles.

Bob Titus and Ed Matemate, both part-time starters at defensive end last season, are back expecting full-time duties this season.

The Dons had a school-record 26 interceptions last season, including five by Tony Gonzalez.