COASTERS: The offseason madness

Steve Virgen

A trip to the Strawberry Bowl meant more to the Orange Coast

College football team than an extra week of practice or free food at the

event’s banquet.

Because of OCC’s Mission Central Division Conference co-championship,

coupled with the bowl game, Coast’s sophomore football players have been

finding places to continue their careers. And, the OCC football program

has put itself on another level, a new level that has changed the Bucs.

“It just seems like it’s a different feel,” OCC Coach Mike Taylor said

of this year’s incoming recruiting process.

Whether the new level will put the Bucs on the same plateau as teams

like Mt. San Antonio and Palomar will be seen in the fall. But, in the

meantime, players who helped OCC reach its first bowl game in seven years

and its first conference title in a decade, are scheduling trips to

four-year universities.

After visits to Temple (Philadelphia), San Jose State and Missouri,

tight end Ben Fredrickson decided to play with the Tigers. When the

season ended, Oregon State pursued him, but then the Beavers were

planning to sign two juco tight ends and Fredrickson fell out of the

picture.

He visited Temple and then San Jose State, but still couldn’t make up

his mind. Then, one day before he left for Missouri, Oregon State called

back and said Fredrickson was back in the picture because one of the

tight ends did not sign with them. Fredrickson said he would visit the

Beavers, but after touring Missouri and meeting with first-year coach

Gary Pinkel, Fredrickson jumped at the Tigers.

Pinkel was hired in December and turned his focus to OCC for a

linebacker. But, after gaining knowledge of Fredrickson, Pinkel wanted

the 6-foot-4, 248-pound tight end who caught 68 passes for nine

touchdowns in his two-year career at OCC.

“It’s just been crazy,” Fredrickson said of the past month. “Now I

need to get big. Those are big boys over there.”

Justin Dale, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound receiver, has not experienced

Fredrickson’s fortunes. Mainly because of his size, Dale has not been

able to find a school that will “take a chance” on him.

Dale, a unanimous All-Mission Conference selection, is a true

playmaker with gamebreaking speed. But, the big schools have turned away

from him because of his size.

Steve Largent, the former All-Pro wide receiver of the Seattle

Seahawks, called Dale two weeks ago to lend support. The fiance of Dale’s

sister is a close friend of Largent and he set up the phone call.

Largent basically told Dale to never give up. Largent told Dale that

he is at a disadvantage because of his size and he has to work even

harder to get noticed.

The inspiring words only strengthened Dale’s love for the game.

OCC’s linebacker trio of Justin Blackard, Dustin Davis and Martin

Janzon have been enduring the recruiting process.

Blackard, along with punter Eddie Johnson (Newport Harbor High) and

offensive lineman Adam Fisher, visited Arkansas State last weekend.

Blackard signed with Arkansas State on Wednesday.

Davis committed to West Virginia Wesleyan, a Division II university.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo brought him up for a visit, but, surprisingly,

they asked him to tryout as a walkon. He also was pursued by Sacramento

State and UC Davis.

Janzon’s story is probably the most intriguing of the bunch.

Janzon went back home to Sweden after the season and missed out on all

of the recruiting trips. But, Taylor said, the Swedish government pays

for Janzon’s eduction. So, Janzon might try out as a walk on at UCLA.

Taylor is confident Janzon will make the team and start.

Meanwhile, at OCC, Taylor and his coaches are watching high school

game film and talking to recruits who might play for them. On Thursday

night, Taylor and his staff spoke to more than 50 recruits for three

hours.

Among the recruits: Newport Harbor fullback Travis Trimble, who has

enrolled in a spring class at OCC. Taylor said Trimble has the ability to

be one of the better fullbacks in the conference if he stays with the

Pirates. Trimble’s running mate, Chris Manderino, might walk on at UCLA,

Taylor said.

“We would love to get Manderino,” Taylor said. “He should come here.

He won’t have to pay, he could step in and probably be the featured

tailback. Obviously, he’s a great player.”

Newport Harbor’s nemesis, Irvine, might have some former Vaqueros

suiting up for the Bucs in receiver Dave Doomey and defensive end Brian

Porteous.

Aside from recruiting, Taylor will be a part of the interviewing and

selection of OCC’s new assistant football coach. Taylor expects more than

100 applicants as OCC hopes to fill the position by March 2.

Also, the Bucs are back in the weight room. While, football coaches

met with recruits, Friday, quarterback Nick Higgs was pumping iron, eager

to prove last year was not a fluke. He said other players have been

working out as well, among them: Higgs’ wide receiver, Jonathan Jackson,

who should be the go-to guy in the upcoming season.