OCC finds its quarterback
Steve Virgen
SANTA MONICA --There was not much flair or flashiness, but the
Orange Coast College football team assuredly got the job done. The
Pirates answered several questions and strengthened expectations
during its scrimmage at Santa Monica City College Friday.
For one, the Bucs have found their starting quarterback. After the
scrimmage with the Corsairs, OCC Coach Mike Taylor named sophomore
Jason Kripavicius the starting signal caller for the Bucs’ season
opener against visiting East Los Angeles Saturday at 7 p.m. The
quarterback position had been in the up in the air throughout the
preseason.
Taylor also said there will be no rotation with the quarterbacks.
“We don’t have that quarterback-by-committee thing here,” Taylor
said. “(Kripavicius) stepped up and he’s going to be our quarterback.
He’s a sophomore, the one who has been around the longest, and a big,
strong guy who has a strong arm.”
Kripavicius, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore, completed 5 of 6
passes for 91 yards and led the Pirates on their three scoring
drives.
The scrimmage at Santa Monica included 30 offensive plays for each
team, a PAT session and two 12-minute quarters of real game action.
During the first part of the scrimmage, OCC freshman Derek
Aspinwall started at quarterback. However, sophomore running back
Niles Mittasch, a second-team All-Mission Conference Central Division
selection, was the real news of the drive.
He nearly broke loose on his first carry, but was tripped up on an
8-yard run. On his next carry, a draw, he scampered for 28 yards,
energizing his loud teammates on the sideline.
“I was pleased with Mittasch,” Taylor said. “He’s a good running
back. (Steven) Mahelona is a good back. Hawkey played well. We have
some pretty good running backs.”
Mahelona, a 5-10, 210-pound freshman tailback from Hawaii, scored
the Pirates’ first touchdown on a 3-yard run. He also displayed
power, as he bowled over would-be tacklers to pick up 2 extra yards
on a 6-yard run. Mahelona finished with 40 yards on six carries.
Kripavicius was the quarterback on the scoring drive. He completed
one pass for 17 yards to fullback Billy Battle. Kripavicius also ran
for 8 yards on an option play, while El Camino coach John
Featherstone scouted the action. OCC will host El Camino Sept. 28 at
1 p.m.
During the final portion of the scrimmage, Kripavicius led the
Pirates on two more scoring drives. The Bucs “won” that portion,
10-7. Kripavicius completed 2 of 2 for 38 yards. He went to an
audible on second-and-four from the Santa Monica 25. He also
completed a 19-yard play-action pass to tight end Justin Rose.
Mittasch, who rushed for 61 yards on nine carries, ended the drive
with a 1-yard touchdown run.
The OCC defense came up with a turnover on the Corsairs’ ensuing
drive. Defensive back Stephen Turner outran a Santa Monica receiver
to the ball and made an over-the-shoulder catch at his own 1-yard
line.
The Pirates’ defense blitzed occasionally. The visitors had three
blown coverages and were beaten deep, and also gave up a 65-yard
touchdown run to James Jackson, a 5-11, 235-pound tailback from
Lincoln High in Tallahassee, Fla.
“Defensively, we did some good things,” Taylor said. “We were very
generic with our coverages. We were a little sloppy with our tackling
on the long run, but (Jackson) is a very good back.”
OCC sophomore kicker Mike DeHart nailed a 45-yard field goal with
seven minutes remaining and the Pirates’ defense held the Corsairs
scoreless the rest of the way.
Freshman defensive tackles Bryan Meers, Ryan Miller and Brian
Cristol recorded sacks for the Pirates.
Freshman defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, the OCC running back’s
brother, came up with a tackle for a loss that set up a
third-and-long situation.
The Corsairs went 1-9 last season, but they have revamped their
team with the addition of Jackson and their quarterback David
Corrall, a bounce back from Vanderbilt.
Santa Monica showed rust, compiling nine penalties for 76 yards.
The Pirates had six penalties for 55 yards.
OCC linebacker Dan Steinau, who injured his knee last week, played
for the Pirates. He said he was at 80%.
Orange Coast freshman Kyle Collins, an offensive lineman, injured
his knee Friday, and Taylor said he would know more about the injury
next week.
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