Arnold, Griffins try to slow streaking Saddleback
- Updated: October 16, 2015
Grossmont sophomore LB Jordan Arnold (45), from West Hills High.
2015 GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
MISSION VIEJO (10-16-15) — When Grossmont College faces off against the Saddleback Gauchos it usually produces points galore.
In the last six years these two teams have produced 452 points combined. That breaks down to 75.3 points per game.
More of the same should be expected when these two squads square off in a National Southern Conference encounter Saturday (Oct. 17) in Rattlesnake Gulch at 6 p.m.
“We haven’t given up,” said Grossmont sophomore linebacker JORDAN ARNOLD. “We just need to come up stronger than we have in the past. I know from our practices we’re pretty fired up. I feel confident about our chances.”
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Arnold has chalked up 35 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He has also forced 2 fumbles.
“We’re going to throw a lot of different defenses at them this week,” Arnold said. “I’ll be an Eagle Back – usually I rush off the edge, and I’ll continue to do so – but also be part of our 35 Stack.
“We’re gonna keep ‘em guessing.”
Arnold was recruited out of West Hills High by Western New Mexico University but figured his future was better served at Grossmont College.
“I feel that this is a better opportunity for me,” he said. “I looked at New Mexico and realized it wasn’t the best thing for me. I feel coming to Grossmont is a better opportunity for me, my life and my style of play.”
Arnold would treasure playing bigtime football.
“But I’m being realistic,” he said. “I’ll go anywhere. At the end of the day I just want to keep playing football.”
He noted he hasn’t written off the Grossmont College season, which has four games remaining.
“We need a sweep to get a shot at a bowl game,” Arnold admitted.
Griffin Graffiti — For the third time in five games Grossmont linebacker NICK GALATIS has been named the National Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Mt. SAC. Galatis made 11 tackles – 5 solo – in the Griffins’ loss to the Mounties . . . Wide receiver CHRISTIAN BROOKS received Honorable Mention as a National Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week for throwing a 30-yard halfback pass for a touchdown – his 3rd in 4 attempts. He also caught 6 passes for 55 yards, rushed one time for 6 yards and had 4 kickoff returns for 38 yards in the Griffs loss to Mt. SAC . . . Saddleback leads the all-time series over the Griffins 16-6-1, including six in a row . . . Grossmont won last year 41-27.
