Community College Football: Road Warriors

Steve Virgen

MONTEREY PARK - There’s hardly a doubt Orange Coast College

football coach Mike Taylor will have his Pirates ready to make big plays

in their season opener at East Los Angeles College, tonight at 7.

With East L.A. coaches watching the Pirates scrimmage with Santa

Monica last week, Taylor held nothing back and displayed highlight-type

plays in the passing games as quarterback Nick Higgs launched deep passes

for touchdowns.

The Bucs also showed off some hard-hitting and an obvious anxiety to

start the season.

“We’re excited to get on the bus, and get over there and play,” Taylor

said. “We just want to come out and hang on to the ball. We just want to

play football.”

The Huskies are just as excited to play. They are looking to build off

of last year when they finished 7-3 with a bowl appearance. East L.A.

will be led by quarterback Hugo Avendano who will direct the Huskies’

run-and-shoot offense.

Though the Bucs have suffered some injuries, Taylor remains confident

his team will be prepared because of its depth. Out for the game are

freshman cornerback David Nettles (back), defensive lineman J.T. Nuimata

(coach’s decision), wide receiver Josh Furlong (hamstring), tight end

William Safotu (dislocated elbow), wide receiver Tim Gonzalez (shoulder

strain), running back Tim Rebich (broken collarbone) and cornerback

Richie Kukuia (arm).

Also, linebacker Clay Busch decided to leave the team. Taylor said

Busch made his decision to move on after linebackers coach Mike Mayne met

with the 16 linebackers and discussed playing time.

Directions to East L.A. College

1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park. Weingart Stadium.

Take the 405 North to the 605 North. Then take I-5 North. After

merging on the I-5 North, exit Atlantic Blvd. North and turn left onto

Telegraph Road. Turn right onto S. Atlantic Blvd. and turn left onto W.

Riggin Street. W. Riggin St. becomes Avenida Cesar Chavez.