Community College football: Bucs ready to make up for lost time

Steve Virgen

TORRANCE - Plain and simple, the Orange Coast College football team

lost to visiting Los Angeles Harbor last week because of five turnovers.

That the Pirates even had a chance of winning the game in the final

seconds, is a positive and the reason the Bucs remain confident as they

face El Camino, today at 1 p.m. at the Warriors’ Murdoch Stadium.

However, this week’s practices included a humbling experience that

began with the team’s film session.

“(The Pirates defense) had their tail between their tails during

film,” Bucs Coach Mike Taylor said. “But, that happens with young

athletes, you see that at all levels.”

OCC will look to correct the mistakes with the possibility that two of

its defensive standouts might be out with injuries. The Bucs’ middle

linebacker Marvin Simmons will not suit up for today’s game as he missed

practices this week with an abdominal strain. His future status is termed

as day-to-day, Taylor said.

Also, defensive tackle Dan Stringer has a nagging elbow injury and

will be in limited action. Freshman Chris Render will replace Stringer

this week.

The Bucs’ defensive backfield received a heavy dose of work against

Harbor. The Seahawks took advantage of OCC’s man-to-man coverage and

quarterback Melvin Yarbrough racked up 298 yards passing and three

touchdowns.

In addition, the Bucs have surrendered 690 passing yards and four

touchdowns in their first two games.

This week’s matchup against El Camino doesn’t appear any easier.

Warriors’ quarterback Ryan Gilbert leads the offense, but Ronald Detmers

might see some action as well.

Both quarterbacks use receivers Alvin Marshall, Benny Bishop and

Eugene Childs as primary threats. Marshall also works double-time as he

is the leading kickoff return specialist in the Mission Conference.

El Camino is 1-1 after defeating Santa Monica 42-10 last week, rushing

for 233 yards on 40 attempts

The Warriors, like the Bucs, use a running-back-by-committee approach.

Ryan Jones and Theo Hawkins provide versatility in El Camino’s offense.

Marshall, who has 135 rushing yards this season, also extends his talents

in the running game.

In OCC’s offensive backfield, freshman Randy Gaither, who scored the

game-winning touchdown in the 21-17 win over East Los Angeles, moves into

the starting lineup. Leonard DeRoche and Niles Mittasch will also be in

the gameplan.

Mittasch, the all-state running back from Oregon, has been receiving

more repetitions during this week’s practices. In his first carry of the

season, he broke away for a 24-yard run last week.

But, the Bucs’ running backs accounted for three fumbles and all were

recovered by the Seahawks.

“We just gave the ball away,” Taylor said. “We lost our composure and

focus. We’ve talked about coming back and doing what we need to do this

week. We had a long film session and we have had spirited practices all

week. If we don’t play at least error-free football, there’s going to be

problems.”

Directions to El Camino, Murdoch Stadium

16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance

Take the 405 North to the Crenshaw Blvd./Torrance exit. Turn left onto

W. 182nd Street, then turn right onto Crenshaw Blvd.