TODAY’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Cook’s Best Move: Switching From Passer to Pass Catcher

MISSION VIEJO —  It has taken some time, but Mike Cook is finally being recognized as one of the best community college receivers in southern California.

At Fountain Valley High School, Cook was known more for the fact that he switched from quarterback to wide receiver than for his abilities as a receiver. Never mind that he averaged almost 19 yards per reception and scored eight touchdowns in 49 catches, he got more notoriety for making the position switch as a senior in 1988.

He changed positions because he felt he had little chance of beating out David Henigan, who had been the No. 1 quarterback for two years.

“I figured that if I wanted to see the field,” Cook said, “I’d better make a change.”

Two years later, Cook is at Saddleback College and his football identity is clear. There is no longer any mention of quarterback. Now, the talk is about his considerable skills as a receiver.

Cook leads Orange County receivers with 26 catches after six games. Rancho Santiago running back Estrus Crayton is second with 18. Cook’s 352 yards and six touchdowns are also tops among local receivers.

Cook had his best game of the season last Saturday as Saddleback upset previously unbeaten Fullerton, 31-29. He had 10 catches for 119 yards. Saddleback plays at Orange Coast at 1:30 p.m. today.

Cook is certainly easy to find. He is 6 feet 5 and weighs about 185 pounds. While he is an easy target for quarterbacks, defenders have little trouble seeing him as well.

“He has such great concentration,” Saddleback offensive coordinator Bill Cunerty said. “He prides himself in being able to run all the routes and the quarterbacks just love him because he isn’t afraid to go into middle, or what we call the hospital zone.”

Cook makes a 23-mile commute because he wasn’t happy with the four-year colleges that recruited him out of high school. California was interested but only if he would walk on and try to earn a scholarship. University of the Pacific, Nevada Reno and Weber State also were interested, but Cook decided to try his luck with the four-year schools after two years at a community college.

He felt Saddleback had a better passing game than Orange Coast and Golden West, which are much closer to his home.

While it is still early in the recruiting game, several top colleges have shown an interest in Cook, including Stanford.

“He is one of those guys that will keep getting better,” Cunerty said. “He understands there is more to the position than just going down 12 yards and turning left. He knows how to make adjustments and why we do things and that will help him greatly on the next level.”

In today’s Mission Conference Central Division games:

Fullerton (5-1, 4-1, 0-1) vs. Golden West (5-1, 4-1, 1-0) at Orange Coast, 7 p.m.--Golden West’s outstanding defense will be tested by Fullerton’s powerful running game. Golden West is allowing just 230 yards a game. Its secondary is led by Bobby Sylvia, who is tops in the state with six interceptions.

Golden West has been strong against the run, allowing 85 yards per game. Meanwhile, Fullerton brings the conference’s top rushing attack, averaging 305 yards per game. Brian Williams leads Fullerton with an average of 99 yards per game.

Saddleback (4-2, 4-1, 1-0) at Orange Coast (4-2, 3-2, 0-1), 1:30 p.m.--Saddleback is the hottest team in the division, having won four in a row. Saddleback pulled off an impressive 31-29 come-from-behind victory over previously undefeated Fullerton last Saturday. Saddleback has outscored it opponents, 130-79, in the four victories.

Riverside (4-2, 3-2, 0-1) vs. Rancho Santiago (4-2, 3-2, 1-0) at Santa Ana Stadium, 7 p.m.-- Rancho Santiago running back Estrus Crayton leads the state in scoring, averaging 17.3 points per game. His total of 104 is 20 points better than his closest competitor. Crayton is third in state in all-purpose running, averaging 232 yards per game, despite playing only a little more than a half in three of Rancho Santiago’s six games.