Community College football: Mt. SAC claims revenge

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - The battered and bruised Orange Coast College Pirates

nearly pulled off the impossible in their nonconference football game

against visiting Mt. San Antonio Saturday night.

With 1:37 remaining, OCC wide receiver Jon Jackson recovered a high,

looping onside kick to give the Bucs a chance to win a game in which they

practically had no business being so close.

But, one short run and three incomplete passes later, OCC Coach Mike

Taylor realized the bigger blow that came to his team, besides the 24-16

losing result.

The Bucs (2-2) may have lost Travis Loidolt, their middle linebacker

and defensive leader, who appears to have torn his right anterior

cruciate ligament.

The injury, which Loidolt suffered early in the first quarter, proved

crucial in the fourth quarter, when the Mounties found their running

game.

Loidolt, who moved over from outside linebacker when original starter

Marvin Simmons suffered an abdominal strain two weeks ago, could have

most likely been used when Mt. SAC used up 7:14, protecting its 24-10

lead with three first downs and 36 rushing yards.

“I’m more concerned for our middle linebacker, who could possibly lost

for the season,” Taylor said of his thoughts on losing to the Mounties

(3-1). “We’re going to have a tough game against Pasadena next week.

Those guys are probably better than (Mt. SAC). So to lose (Loidolt) is

disappointing.”

The Mounties broke open a punting game in the second quarter, as they

scored 14 points before halftime. After OCC kicker Rob Pate knocked in a

39-yard field goal, 7:36 into the game, Mt. SAC later capitalized on good

field position and its advantageous passing attack.

OCC’s Nick Ross faked his punt on a fourth-and-five from the Bucs’ 48,

but his pass to Brandon Hall (five receptions, 68 yards) fell short. And

the Mounties took over.

Mt. SAC quarterback Greg Valenzuela delivered a 16-yard pass to Aaron

Hosack, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound receiver who picked up a key first down and

fell at the 2. Joey Gonzalez ran it in on the ensuing play and the

Mounties’ led.

Later, after a 64-yard punt return by Gonzalez, Mt. SAC struck again,

this time Valenzuela hit Dominic Longo for a 16-yard touchdown with 1:10

remaining.

Mt. SAC, then opened the second half with a nine-play, 65-yard drive

that ended with Patrick Allen’s 1-yard plunge.

OCC would fumble on its next series, but after the Mounties recovered

they coughed it up on the ensuing offensive series, as Adrian Calloway

gave the Bucs new life.

The turnover set up OCC’s touchdown that came from a key fourth-and-14

situation, in which Hall dove to catch a 15-yard pass at the 1-yard line.

Running back Niles Mittasch, who ran for 98 yards on 16 carries, then surged forward untouched to cut the deficit to 21-10.

OCC fullback Anthony Campo caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from

quarterback Nick Higgs, with 1:37 remaining, before Ross’ onside kick.