Unbeaten Rustlers Ranked No. 2 at Season’s Midpoint
Golden West College head coach Nick Mitchell has his squad off to another historic start. For the first time since 2015, the Rustlers are 5-0 on the field to open the season.
The Rustlers went into a bye week after a 56-14 triumph over East Los Angeles College at home. With the win, Golden West moved up one spot to No. 2 in the most recent California community college football coaches state poll.
In five games this season, the Rustlers have outscored their opponents by a combined 205-75 margin. Golden West has received solid play on both sides of the ball as the offense is averaging 41 points per game, ranking them 13th in the state while their 15.0 points allowed per game is fifth-best in the state.
The Rustlers put together one of its most impressive wins in a 55-0 rout of Allan Hancock at home in Week 3. Golden West ran for a season-high 343 yards, led by a six-carry, 141-yards outburst by Kendric Thomas.
The defense held Hancock to 159 yards and allowed just 10 first down. GWC got touchdowns from its defense (18-yard interception return) and special teams (75-yard punt return) in the complete team effort.
Likely the biggest win of the season was the Rustlers knocking off previously No. 2 state-ranked Riverside 42-35 at home. It marked the second straight season that Golden West pulled off the upset of the Tigers.
GWC erased a 21-7 deficit in the second quarter by scoring 28 unanswered points to go ahead for good 35-21 in the third quarter. Quarterback Noa Banua had a solid game, throwing for 229 yards on 20 of 32 passing with 3 TDs but a pair of interceptions. He also ran 11 times for 59 yards and a touchdown.
The Rustlers opened the 2025 season with a 31-13 win at Mt. San Jacinto and picked up another road win, 21-13 at Bakersfield in Week 4.
Looking towards the second half of the season, the Rustlers will look to continue their hot start with a Thursday night contest on Oct. 9 at Pasadena City College. The National Central League game is set for 6 p.m. at PCC's Robinson Stadium.
That is followed by the 55th meeting of the "Battle of the Bell" game between GWC and rival Orange Coast College on Oct. 18 at LeBard Stadium. Up next, the Rustlers will play two straight home games, hosting Cerritos (Oct. 25) and Canyons (Nov. 1) at Rustler Stadium.
Golden West closes out the regular season with a Nov. 8 game at Fullerton before postseason play and a possible run towards a state championship begins. The SCFA playoffs get underway on Nov. 22 with the 3C2A State Championship is scheduled for Dec. 13 at the site of the Southern California champion.