GAME RECAP AND TOP PHOTOS: Schmidt, Rustlers Blow By The Pirates In High Scoring Affair To Advance The SCFA Regional Final

By Justin Tatsuki Lee

Saturday November 29, 2025

Game: Golden West vs Ventura College

Huntington Beach, CA — On a crisp noon kickoff time at Golden West College, the SCFA Southern California Regional Semifinal delivered a wild, emotional, and high-scoring showdown between Nick Mitchell’s Golden West Rustlers and Steve Mooshagian’s Ventura College Pirates. In a clash featuring explosive special teams, highlight-reel catches, and sideline tempers occasionally boiling over, Golden West unleashed 35 unanswered second-half points to turn a tight contest into a statement victory, advancing to the SCFA Regional Final against Saddleback College.

First Quarter — Haymakers from the Start

Ventura received the opening kickoff and immediately set the tone for a track meet. Wideout Tayvion McCoy (3) slashed the Rustlers defense on a catch-and-run down to the Golden West 5-yard line, and quarterback Braeson Leon (7) capped the drive with a 5-yard strike to tight end Bryce Zavala (38) for a quick 7–0 Pirates lead.

Golden West answered instantly. Returner Kendrick Thomas (2) electrified the home sideline with a 76-yard kickoff return to the Ventura 24. But pressure from Ventura’s defensive front forced a turnover on downs, leaving the Rustlers empty-handed.

After Ventura went three-and-out, Golden West struck back. Quarterback Kauna’oa Kamakawiwo’ole (7) found Tanner Schmidt (4) on a smooth 12-yard touchdown, knotting the game at 7–7 and delivering the first of what would become a historic day for the sophomore wideout.

Another Ventura three-and-out gave the Rustlers momentum, and they methodically pushed into field goal range behind RB Ardwon Morris (3) and Schmidt. But a 36-yard attempt from Matteo Zavala (4) sailed wide in the final minute of the quarter.

Second Quarter — Back and Forth Before Golden West Takes Control

To open the second quarter, McCoy again torched Golden West’s secondary, hauling in a 34-yard jump ball to the Rustler 12 before snagging a back-shoulder fade for his second touchdown. Ventura retook the lead 14–7.

Golden West immediately counterpunched. DB Drew Faulkner (5) ripped off a 64-yard kick return to the Ventura 18, and on fourth-and-goal, RB Aaron Mitchell (22) powered around the edge to make it 14–14.

Faulkner wasn’t done — moments later he intercepted Leon, flipping the field for the Rustlers. Schmidt kept elevating his performance, converting a fourth-and-11 on a tough sideline catch before hauling in a shoe-string touchdown grab to give Golden West their first lead of the day, 21–14.

Ventura attempted to mount a late-half push, but Golden West’s defense held firm. A last-second desperation heave by Kamakawiwo’ole was intercepted in the end zone by James Rose (4), sending the Rustlers into halftime with the momentum and a lead.

Third Quarter — Chaos, Chippiness, and Ventura Reclaims the Lead

Golden West opened the second half with a fourth-and-3 gamble that came up short, handing Ventura the ball and a spark. Leon marched the Pirates to the goal line, converting a fourth-and-1 QB sneak amid a heated scrum that escalated into a multi-player dust-up. Flags flew, Ventura was pushed back, and they settled for a 28-yard field goal from Bohdie Ing (24) to cut the deficit to 21–17.

Golden West threatened again after a 30-yard strike to Will McKissick (0), but a drive-killing sack by Ventura’s Daniel Cortez forced a punt. The Pirates seized the lead when McCoy hauled in a spectacular one-handed corner-endzone TD, his third score of the day, making it 24–21 Ventura with 1:29 left in the third.

The game’s momentum turned violently on the next sequence. After a Golden West fourth-down conversion, Kamakawiwo’ole was intercepted by Charlie Neos (6), who raced 70 yards for a pick-six, extending Ventura’s lead to 31–21 — their largest of the night.

But the Rustlers weren’t fazed. On the ensuing kickoff, Faulkner exploded for a 95-yard touchdown return, slicing the deficit to 31–28 as the third quarter came to a close.

Fourth Quarter — 35 Unanswered Points: The Golden West Avalanche

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to Golden West.

Kamakawiwo’ole opened the frame by finding Schmidt on a deep strike for a 37-yard touchdown, giving the Rustlers a 35–31 advantage and their first lead since early in the second quarter.

Moments later, Taedon Rodgers (9) jumped a Ventura route for a 36-yard interception return to the 6. Schmidt capitalized again — his fourth touchdown of the evening — pushing the lead to 42–31 with 8:20 remaining.

Disaster continued to pile onto Ventura. Leon fumbled deep in his own territory on the next drive, recovered by Javon Taylor, and Golden West punched it in with a dazzling 18-yard score from WR Dom Thompson (6), who sliced through three tacklers at the goal line.

The Rustlers defense delivered the exclamation point when Brandon Soleau (3) snagged another interception and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown, extending the run to 35 unanswered points and the lead to 56–31.

Ventura salvaged one final touchdown — McCoy’s third of the game — but the onside kick was secured by Golden West, who ran out the clock to seal a 56–38 victory.

Golden West Advances — A Complete Team Statement

With the win, Golden West moves on to host Saddleback College in the SCFA Regional Final at Huntington Beach.

Stat Leaders

Golden West College

• QB Kauna’oa Kamakawiwo’ole: 273 passing yards, 5 TD, 2 INT
  
• WR Tanner Schmidt: 147 receiving yards, 4 TD
  
• Defense: 3 INT (Faulkner, Rodgers, Soleau), 2 defensive TDs
  

Ventura College

• QB Braeson Leon: 393 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT
  
• WR Tayvion McCoy: 112 yards, 3 TD