Community college football: Plenty of corrections coming for Bucs

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Escaped, perhaps, would be the proper description of

the Orange Coast College football team’s nonconference 21-17 victory at

East Los Angeles last week.

The Pirates lost their 14-0 halftime lead mostly because of penalties

and a turnover. In all, the Bucs ran up 18 penalties for 193 yards.

Actually, the near-loss has proven beneficial to OCC, at least in this

week’s practices and game preparation.

Quarterback Nick Higgs, as well as running back Randy Gaither, who

scored the game-winning touchdown with 2:36 remaining, said last week’s

game has made the Bucs realize they can’t take any team lightly.

The lesson should come in focus today, as OCC hosts L.A. Harbor at 1

p.m in a nonconference game.

“We addressed all of (the penalties),” Bucs Coach Mike Taylor said.

“There were some dumb penalties. For us to beat good football teams we

can’t have penalties. L.A. Harbor is a good team.”

The Seahawks are definitely solid, especially on defense. They are led

by aggressive linebackers, which includes Chris Smith (6-foot-3, 250

pounds), Kevin Sperry (6-3, 230) and Shad McLachlan (6-2, 225). Also,

defensive end Monte Parson (6-3, 275) is another reason why the Seahawks

were able to hold San Diego Mesa to minus-7 yards rushing in the first

half last week. But San Diego Mesa squeaked out the 16-14 victory.

Quarterback Melvin Yarbrough guides the Seahawks’ offense which had

its problems in the red zone last week. The Seahawks squandered a scoring

opportunity in the first quarter when they turned the ball over on downs

from the 1-yard line.

L.A. Harbor’s defense will most likely blitz Higgs often. Taylor,

Higgs and the offensive line are expecting it because East L.A. blitzed

regularly.

Against East L.A., Higgs was able to elude the pass rush. But, with

quick throws and a few scrambles, Higgs maintained his rhythm. Once he

found wide receiver Vince Strang for a 21-yard touchdown.

In regard to injuries, the Bucs are almost healed from the rash of

injuries that came to them last week. Defensive back David Nettles, who

was suffering from back injuries, actually played last week and will be

ready today. However, tight end William Safotu remains out as he

rehabilitates his right elbow. Also, defensive lineman Russ Chamberlen

could possibly be out for the season. He tore a ligament in his right

thumb and is awaiting his status.

Freshman middle linebacker Marvin Simmons will not start because he

missed Tuesday’s practice. Simmons will still receive plenty of playing

time as Travis Loidolt will shift from outside linebacker to middle and

then vice versa.

Defensive end Greg Smith cannot play. He was ejected from the game at

East L.A. and must sit out today’s game.

The majority of the Bucs and Coach Taylor are in support of playing

today’s game. The California Community Commission on Athletics decided to

keep its weekend athletics schedule intact because they didn’t want to

”... be victims of the chaos,” stemming from Tuesday’s terrorist attacks

on America.

Higgs believes playing football today is the best therapy.

“I want to play because I think it’s good to get out there and get

your mind off things for two or three hours,” Higgs said. “I’ll have a

lot on my mind, my brother is in the military, (Matt, age 21). He’s in

the Air Force.”