Community College football: Bucs go deep

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - The Orange Coast College football team scored nine

points in its first three games last year. However, if the Pirates’

scrimmage with Santa Monica Friday was any indication of what’s to come,

it’s a pretty sure bet the Bucs won’t have the same offensive woes,

especially in the passing game.

OCC scored all eight of its touchdowns via the air as Bucs’

quarterback Nick Higgs flourished in the 30 plays he conducted, throwing

for 352 yards on 9 of 13 passing and four touchdowns, three to Jonathan

Jackson, a.k.a. “Action Jackson.”

Each offense ran 70 offensive plays.

“We’re clicking right now, we just need to keep it up,” said Higgs,

who fashioned tight spirals and a nice zip on his throws. “It was great

to go against someone new for once. Our defense has been setting the tone

in practice. Our offense line was great today. I don’t think I got

breathed on.”

On the Bucs’ first offensive play running back Randy Gaither broke off

right tackle and bounced to the outside, sprinting for a 70-yard

touchdown. But, the play was called back on a holding penalty. On the

ensuing play, Higgs hit Jackson on a post pattern for a 40-yard score,

set up by play action.

“We’ve got some weapons,” Pirates Coach Mike Taylor said. “We have a

big game coming up and we can’t stub our toe coming out. We just have to

keep getting better. I’m pleased with today.”

Coast’s backup quarterback Jason Kripavicius threw for two touchdowns,

his last scoring toss to Newport Harbor High product Mitch Gray.

Wide receiver Vince Strang III, a returning sophomore caught one

touchdown pass, a 65-yard reception off a play-action bootleg from Higgs.

Strang also made a key block to pave the way for Jackson’s 70-yard

touchdown on another pass coming from Higgs.

“This is what we are supposed to do,” said Jackson, who actually

dropped a would-be touchdown pass, which would have been for 60 yards. He

finished with four receptions for 169 yards. “Everyone was hyped up for

this. We’ve been waiting for this. We had our opportunities and we just

executed.”

The Bucs’ defense, though not as spectacular, turned in a solid

performance. Also, a few scuffles broke out and one mini-brawl ensued

during OCC’s defensive plays.

Playing without key playmakers defensive linemen Greg Smith (attending

class) and Dan Stringer (mild back pains) and new linebacker phenom

Marvin Simmons, the Pirates still contained the Corsairs. Simmons could

have played, but Taylor held him out to give more repetitions to the

other linebackers.

OCC allowed just one first down that came from a pass interference

penalty in its first defensive series. Defensive back Tim Ogo, a

returning sophomore, finished with a pass deflection and an interception.

Safety Barrett Burkett, who is a returning starter, intercepted a pass in

the end zone and brought it out for 25 yards.

The Pirates’ running back situation became less cloudy Friday. It

seems as if Taylor will use a committee approach as Gaither, Niles

Mittasch, Javon Smith and Leonard DeRoche each showed flashes that they

are capable of carrying the entire load. Fullback Travis Trimble, a

Newport Harbor High product, has locked up the starting role and was

instrumental in the Pirates’ scoring drives.

OCC opens its regular season at East Los Angeles, Saturday at 7 p.m.