OCC football: The Undaunted Dawkins

Steve Virgen

Regret is just one obstacle James Dawkins has conquered in his

young life.

Dawkins, Orange Coast College’s star running back, could have played

at Purdue University after a stellar high school campaign at Estancia

High 1995-97. But, because he was academically ineligible,he didn’t

qualify for a scholarship and he turned his focus toward Orange Coast.

“There’s regret,” said Dawkins, the all-conference running back who

leads the Pirates to the Strawberry Bowl today at Cerritos. “Especially

seeing how Purdue is now with Drew Brees and they’re playing in the Rose

Bowl. I could’ve been on that team. It’s a lot of regret, but you can’t

dwell on that. I’m right here right now. I can think about it and it

doesn’t make any difference. I’m just going to forget about it and make

something out of this.”

Dawkins’ trademark has been making the most of his opportunities. And

it goes back to his high school days when he played for the Eagles.

Dawkins remains No. 2 in the Newport-Mesa District in career rushing

with three seasons at Estancia resulting in 3,209 yards, 34 touchdowns on

452 carries and District Offensive Co-player of the Year laurels in 1997.

He holds the second-best single season rushing mark at Estancia with

1,473 yards in 1996. Last year, Marshall Hendricks broke the record, but

it took him 41 more carries than Dawkins to do so.

Dawkins was on his way to Purdue, but an admitted laziness in high

school classes caught up with him. Dawkins said he almost didn’t graduate

from Estancia because he wasn’t serious about his school work and he was

“getting into trouble.”

Depression set in for Dawkins after reality struck that being a

Boilermaker and playing in the Big 10 would never be. He could’ve let the

sadness and regret swallow him. He could’ve sunk deeper into trouble.

Instead, he turned his focus to Orange Coast with the hopes of staying

true to his trademark.

When he arrived at OCC, he sat out the first year to build strength

and learn more about the game. The redshirt year also gave Dawkins time

to improve on his studies.

Last year, he played behind Ray Ohrel and Jimmie Banks. He made the

most of his role as a return specialist and a slot receiver and earned

All-Mission Conference honors for his kickoff returns, which included a

92-yard touchdown return against Riverside.

Then, this season, Dawkins became excited because he knew he had the

chance to be the featured back. With an 0-3 start and just one offensive

touchdown, a Dawkins 39-yard score, the Pirates’ offense was hardly a

threat and Dawkins’ season made no rumblings for a future at a four-year

university.

But, OCC defeated Mt. San Antonio, an upset victory over the No. 4

team in the nation that gave confidence to the Bucs and set up a

rejuvenated Dawkins.

When division play began for OCC, Dawkins began to run with authority.

His elusiveness would lead to big plays for the Pirates and will be

called upon again today against Cerritos.

Dawkins’ performance in the past five games has increased his stock to

play at four-year university, OCC Coach Mike Taylor said.

In Dawkins’ first five games he gained only 149 yards rushing. But in

the second half of the season he’s gained 493 yards and six touchdowns,

four of those scores from 40 or more yards out.

He finished the regular season with back-to-back 100-yard games, 159

yards and touchdown in a loss at Fullerton and 133 yards and three

touchdowns in the 32-18 victory over Saddleback.

“I’ve seen a big change in James Dawkins in the past four weeks,”

Taylor said. “He doesn’t stop and dance in the holes. He gets into the

hole and burst through the secondary.”

Dawkins has just two more obstacles to overcome before the year ends.

He wants to earn his Associate of Arts degree during the winter break so

that he can be more attractive to the four-year programs.

And the other obstacle: A win over Cerritos.

His goal for the Strawberry Bowl? “I want to get the win. To have a

good game would just be the sugar on top.”