No. 2 Rustlers move to 8-0 with 27-19 win over No. 9 Cerritos

HUNTINGTON BEACH – Quarterback Kauna'oa Kamakawiwo'ole tossed three touchdowns, including a pair to wide receiver Tanner Schmidt, to help lead No. 2 state-ranked Golden West College to a 27-19 National Central League win over No. 9 Cerritos College on Saturday afternoon at Rustler Stadium.

The Rustlers continue their unbeaten run in 2025, improving to 8-0 overall as well as 5-0 in the Central League standings to remain tied for the lead with Fullerton College.

With defending state champion and current No. 1 state-ranked College of San Mateo losing today, the Rustlers will likely take over the top spot in next week's state coaches poll.

First, Golden West had to get past a tough Cerritos squad that came into the today's contest riding a five-game winning streak and was unbeaten in Central League play. The Rustlers had won the last two meetings between the squads and extended that streak to three straight with Saturday's victory.

Kamakawiwo'ole and Schmidt connected at the 10:35 mark in the first quarter for a 15-yard touchdown pass to give Golden West the early lead. GWC missed the extra point kick and was up 6-0.

Cerritos responded with a long 10-play, 77-yard drive to tie up the game. Falcons' quarterback Jeremiah Calvin and Saxson Va'a hooked up for the first of two TDs in the contest, this time for a 46-yard reception. Cerritos also missed the PAT kick and both teams were even at 6-6 with 4:48 to go in the first.

The Rustlers took over in the second quarter, fueled by a pair of big defensive plays, which proved to be the difference in the game. With Cerritos driving into Golden West territory, Nigel Mills firced a fumble that was recovered by Brandon Soleau at the Rustlers' 30-yard line. Nine plays later, Kamakawiwo'ole hit Kendric Thomas with a 20-yard TD pass to go up 13-6.

On the Falcons' next drive, the Golden West defense came up with a big fourth down stop on its own 43-yard line. The Rustlers converted that turnover on downs to another touchdown after Aaron Mitchell found the end zone with a two-yard run with 28 seconds remaining in the second to send Golden West into halftime with a commanding 20-6 lead.

Schmidt hauled in another 15-yard touchdown pass from Kamakawiwo'ole at the 1:02 mark in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Cerritos got a fourth-quarter field goal and a late touchdown but the GWC lead was never threatened.

Kamakawiwo'ole had an efficient game, completing 23 of 29 passes for 315 yards with 3 TDs and no interceptions. Schmidt had season-highs of 9 receptions and 177 yards to go with 2 touchdowns.

Soleau paced the defense with 11 tackles. Kruz Wheeler had a solid game with 9 tackles and a sack while Josh Clark also totaled 9 tackles.

Golden West is 8-0 on the field for the first time since 2015. The Rustlers continue their run towards a perfect season next Saturday (Nov. 1) when they host College of the Canyons in the final regular season home game. Kick off is scheduled for noon at Rustler Stadium.