Football: Another tough test for OCC

Tony Altobelli

WALNUT - Another week, another nationally ranked opponent.

For the second week in a row, the Orange Coast College football team

gets to play against one of the top teams around, according to the J.C.

Grid-Wire, with a nonconference battle at fourth-ranked Mt. San Antonio

tonight at 6.

“I’ll be glad when this stretch of our season is over,” Coach Mike

Taylor said, referring three straight weeks against top-25 teams.

OCC lost to No. 5 El Camino, 30-0, last week and following tonight’s

clash with the undefeated Mounties (3-0), the Bucs take on No. 16

Pasadena City in Pasadena next week.

“When we saw our schedule, we felt that if we could get through this

stretch of the season healthy, we should be able to put together a strong

run when division play begins,” Taylor said. “So far, we’re somewhat

healthy and our spirits are up.”

It’s been a frustrating season for the 0-3 Bucs thus far. Despite

allowing fewer points than anyone in the Mission Conference’s Central

Division (21.3 points per game), the Pirates’ offense has been

nonexistent, scoring only nine points in three games.

“I know the offensive group is working hard at trying to figure out a

way to be successful,” Taylor said. “We need to take advantage of every

offensive opportunity that presents itself.”

The Mounties are coming off a 51-34 win over Santa Ana. Quarterback

Jeff Cordova threw for 285 yards on 17-of-24 passing and had two

touchdowns. The bulk of his passes went to sophomore Andre Cyrus (seven

catches, 142 yards, 1 TD) and freshman Aaron Hosack (six passes, 116, 1

TD).

“Mt. SAC’s offense is very good and they have a lot of weapons,”

Taylor said. “Defensively, I don’t think they’re quite as stout as El

Camino was last week.”

OCC’s defense was led last week by sophomore linebackers Dustin Davis,

Martin Janzon and Justin Blackard. The trio combined for 40 tackles (26

unassisted) against the Comanches.