Football: Same story for Bucs

Tony Altobelli

LONG BEACH - The offensive unit for the Orange Coast College

football team found its way to the end zone for the first time this

season, but a return trip to paydirt did not develop in Saturday night’s

17-7 nonconference loss to host Long Beach City.

The Pirates (0-2) who scored on a safety last week, finally put points

on the scoreboard the old-fashioned way when tailback James Dawkins

scored on a 39-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, ending the

scoreless streak at 75 minutes, 34 seconds..

That would be all the Bucs would score, however, as missed

opportunities and dropped passes added up to a night full of punts and

frustration.

“Any time you’ve got a lot of young guys on one side of the ball, like

we do on offense, you don’t just throw them to the wolves,” Coach Mike

Taylor said. “We had chances to score, but we just didn’t get it in the

end zone.”

On the bright side, the Pirates’ defense played another stellar game,

holding the explosive Vikings’ offense to 17 points.

“It’s a veteran group that takes a lot of pride in what they do,”

Taylor said. “They just don’t take a break on any play and they’ll take

it to you.”

There were too many weapons on the Vikings’ side of the ball to keep

off the scoreboard for all 60 minutes. Quarterback Clinton Sanders was 17

of 34 for 212 yards and a touchdown. He also used his lengthy 6-foot-2

frame to rush for 66 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s the community college’s version of (Virginia Tech quarterback)

Michael Vick,” Taylor said. “Long Beach did a good job of mixing it up

against us.”

Leading the defensive unit was Martin Janzon with 13 tackles (six

unassisted). Dustin Davis had eight tackles (two unassisted), Manny Adams

had six tackles (five unassisted).

Following Dawkins’ touchdown, LBCC marched down inside the Pirates’

20-yard line, before Angel Andrade came up with a key interception in the

end zone, stopping a Vikings’ scoring opportunity.

Long Beach took the lead for good following a blocked OCC punt, giving

the Vikings excellent field position. A six-play, 35-yard drive ended

with a 7-yard touchdown run by Sanders with three seconds remaining in

the third quarter.

The Pirates had a chance to cut into the lead with seven minutes

remaining in the game, but the chance came to an end thanks to a Long

Beach interception by Sergio Robleto.

“Obviously, we’d like to be 2-0 instead of 0-2,” Taylor said. “Now

we’ve got El Camino at home and Mt. San Antonio on the road the next two

weeks. It’s a tough four-game stretch to start the season, but we’re

playing hard and we’re not quitting.”