Community college football: Climbing a mountain

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Call it Game No. 2 out of “The Big Three,” in the

Orange Coast College football team’s 2001 schedule. The Pirates (2-1) are

in the middle of three games that Coach Mike Taylor looks at as a

measuring stick of how good or how bad his Bucs will be this year.

Last week, OCC passed the first test with a 14-10 come-from-behind win

at El Camino. This week, tonight at 7, the Bucs, No. 15 in Southern

California in this week’s California Community College Football Poll,

host traditional powerhouse and No. 7 Mt. San Antonio (2-1).

The Mounties will most likely be seeking revenge because they suffered

a 26-25 loss to visiting OCC last year. Rob Pate kicked a 33-yard field

goal with one second remaining to upset the Mounties, who were No. 4 in

the nation, according to J.C. Grid-Wire.

The Bucs will host Pasadena City next week to cap “The Big Three,” and

their nonconference schedule.

“We knew these three games were going to be dogfights,” Taylor said.

“In these three games, we’ll find out how good we’re going to be. I hope

it doesn’t look like the Alamo after Pasadena. That’s why God created bye

weeks.”

It seems as if the Bucs could use a bye this week as they have been

stung by the injury bug. OCC middle linebacker Marvin Simmons, the

defense’s fastest player, will miss his second straight game with an

abdominal strain. His status for the season is uncertain and there is a

possibility he might have to apply for redshirt status as Simmons has

been dealing with the injury since midsummer.

Travis Loidolt, who recovered a fumble to secure last week’s win, will

remain at middle linebacker.

Also, defensive tackle Dan Stringer, another standout, will be missing

his second game because of an injury to his right elbow. Chris Render

will fill in. Starting free safety Barrett Burkett, who recorded an

interception in the win over Mt. SAC last year, twisted his right ankle

in the game against El Camino and he’ll be out. L.D. Matthews, who nursed

neck and back injuries in the preseason, will take over Burkett’s duties,

and he should be busy as the Mounties rank No. 4 in the Mission

Conference in passing. Mt. SAC freshman quarterback Greg Valenzuela, who

led the Mounties to a 21-14 win over Santa Ana last week, is No. 2 in

passing yardage (810) in the conference and No. 2 in touchdown passes

with nine.

The Bucs’ offense also took a hit as center Nathan Carreno will miss

tonight’s game with an injured ankle, and Ed Fane moves into his spot.

OCC is also undergoing more changes on offense. The Bucs will start

its third different tailback this season as Niles Mittasch, the All-State

running back from Oregon’s Churchill High, looks to lock up the starting

role this weekend. Yet, like Mt. SAC, the Bucs might also use tailbacks

in the form of a committee, including Randy Gaither and Jared Kemp, who

scored a 10-yard touchdown run in last year’s win over Mt. SAC.

Former starting tailback, Leonard DeRoche, who missed last week’s game

to see his daughter on her birthday, will move to fullback where he will

be in the mix with starter Travis Trimble, a Newport Harbor High product,

Anthony Campo and Javon Smith.

Regardless of the injuries or the changes, Taylor is convinced his

Bucs will, as they say, come to play. They remember what a victory over

Mt. SAC last year meant: five straight victories and a momentum that led

to a Mission Conference Central Division co-championship.

“They’re going to be looking to make a statement and get some

revenge,” said OCC quarterback Nick Higgs, who started his first full

game against the Mounties last year. “We definitely know that Mt. SAC is

not the cleanest team to begin with (last year, the Mounties were flagged

for four personal fouls). We’ll try to keep our composure and let them

make the mistakes. You really can’t play tougher games like this. There’s

not a harder schedule with these three games.”