OCC football: Pirates’ receivers catching fire

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - When Orange Coast College tight end Ben Fredrickson

caught a touchdown on fourth down in the second overtime of the win over

Santa Ana, it illustrated just how much the receiving corps has evolved.

Quarterback Nick Higgs rolled to his left and looked to his first

option, Justin Dale, but he was was covered. The freshman quarterback

checked Dale off and then went to the reliable Fredrickson who snagged

the pass before anyone could knock it away. The play not only showed the

strength of the receivers, but it also showed the improvement of Higgs.

OCC’s quarterback and his receivers are perhaps the biggest reason for

the Pirates’ five-game winning streak.

The defense had always been there. The special teams was solid, but

the offense was lacking the big play factor.

And then they stepped up. Sophomores Dale and Fredrickson eased Higgs

into the quarterback he is and the leader he is becoming.

“We have stepped up big,” Fredrickson said of the receivers. “We’re

catching balls and we’re making the 75-80 yard play for a touchdown.

We’re blocking downfield.”

OCC receivers Jonathan Jackson, Tyrone McNeace and Vince Strang III

have created depth at the receiver position. Strang caught what proved to

be the game-winner over Palomar. Tight end Gerard Fane has been a nice

complement to Fredrickson. They all have developed a strong bond with

each other and with Higgs.

Jackson and Higgs are roommates and McNeace and Strang always seem to

be around, as well.

And then there’s Dale, the big-play wideout who played with Higgs at

Sultana High School. Dale’s speed stretches defenses and allows Higgs to

pick apart the underneath of the secondary.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound receiver improved his game during the

offseason. OCC Coach Mike Taylor, who also coaches track, advised Dale to

run for him in the spring. The training allowed Dale to improve speed and

running technique. And then with a little help from his friends, he

bulked up in the weight room.

During the offseason, Dale gained 20 pounds as he worked out with

roommate and OCC starting linebacker Dustin Davis.

Yet, Dale credits the majority of his improvement to receivers coach

Junior Tagaloa.

“Our coach, Junior, has been the biggest factor,” said Dale who has

caught five touchdown passes this season and averages 74.9 yards per

catch. “He’s worked with us so much. He taught us how to beat defenders

and everything else.”

Said McNeace, “Words can’t really explain what he’s done for me. He’s

not just a coach to us he’s a friend. He’s an awesome guy.”

Before the season began, Tagaloa met individually with each receiver.

He evaluated each of them and the receivers posted the results and goals

in their lockers. Jackson has completed at least one of the goals, which

was to get into the starting rotation.

Jackson, who is aptly nicknamed “Action”, has taken advantage of his

one-on-one situations and is still improving. He isn’t satisfied with his

season. He has caught 12 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

“I just have to improve from last week,” Jackson said. “I have some

things I have to take care of.”

Jackson and the receivers will look to improve at Fullerton Saturday

afternoon. If the Bucs win they will clinch the Mission Conference

Central Division title, their first since 1990.

OCC turned its season around with the upset win at Mt. San Antonio.

Led by Higgs, the Bucs shocked the junior college football world and they

have been riding the momentum since.

OCC turned to Higgs and the Bucs rely on his leadership and

consistency to win games.

“Once Higgs got comfortable out there,” Jackson said. “It was just all

money from there.”

McNeace agreed.

“Every time I look into his eyes when we’re in the huddle I now he’s

going to lead us to a touchdown and win the game for us,” McNeace said.

When Higgs entered the season, he had the pressure of filling the void

created by Jared Flint, who is now at Hawaii. But, Higgs has just trusted

his abilities and the improvement of his receivers.

“I knew there were big shoes to fill with Flint gone,” Higgs said. “I

knew they were used to what he did. I wasn’t looking to do the same exact

things that he did. I’m just playing my game. (The receivers are)

understanding the offense much better. Right now everybody is

understanding their role and what they have to do to help the team. I

think we’re much deeper at the position than last year’s team was.”