Gift wrapping

Steve Virgen

Orange Coast College football coach Mike Taylor remembers the

post-game words of El Camino Coach John Featherstone, last year, that

is one of many subplots in today’s game that pits the Pirates (1-1)

and the Warriors (1-1) at OCC’s LeBard Stadium at 1 p.m.

Taylor taped Featherstone’s quote, which appeared in the Daily

Pilot, on the team locker room’s bulletin board.

“I hope you enjoy all the gifts that we gave you,” Featherstone

told then-OCC offensive coordinator Sean Ponder after the Pirates

scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to win 14-10 at Murdoch Stadium. “Christmas came early for you.”

The Warriors were guilty of 16 penalties, resulting in 160 yards,

and they also fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter which set up the

Pirates’ go-ahead touchdown. It was the first time the Bucs defeated

El Camino since 1973. The Warriors had won 13 straight over Coast.

Another subplot for the game deals with the Pirates quarterback

situation. OCC freshman Derek Aspinwall, who was a grayshirt last

year, will be the starting signal caller, taking over for Jason

Kripavicius.

Aspinwall (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) relieved Kripavicius after

Kripavicius threw an interception with 9:11 left in the third quarter

of OCC’s 40-33 heartbreaking loss to Los Angeles Harbor Saturday.

Harbor scored with 12 seconds remaining, as the Seahawks went 80

yards in the final 1:13.

“We just felt that there were options open that Krip wasn’t

taking,” said Taylor of Kripavicius’ performance against L.A. Harbor,

which stacked the line to stop the run. “We’re going to give Derek a

chance. Krip can come in if need be. We’re giving (freshman Kenny)

Valbuena a chance, too, to get in the mix. But, Derek is going to

have the opportunity to remain the starter.”

Aspinwall already has a rapport with starting wide receiver

Coleman Menke. They both played at Great Falls High in Montana two

years ago.

Taylor also said there is a possibility of moving Kripavicius

(6-3, 220) to tight end since, “We’re struggling a bit at that

position,” Taylor said.

Taylor reported no injuries from last week, but he said his

attempts to reach Grant Melton, a 6-2, 235-pound fullback out of

Mater Dei High, have failed. Melton, who was expected to be the

starter, has apparently quit the team, yet never told anyone. Matt

Pettit (6-2, 215) will be moved from his original linebacker spot and

will start at fullback today.

On defense, sophomore Josh Gonzalez will receive more playing time

at safety, rotating with freshman Nick Dominelli.

Last week, the OCC defense came up with a big play early in the

second quarter. Freshman defensive back Kelvin Beatty blitzed and

sacked Harbor quarterback Cameron Smith, jarring the ball loose. Lamu

Ta’afua, OCC’s 6-0, 280-pound freshman defensive tackle, scooped up

the ball and ran 67 yards for the touchdown, that gave OCC a 14-7

lead. Taylor expects similar plays to come about today.

Like OCC, El Camino is coming off an extremely difficult loss. The

Warriors let a 34-14 fourth-quarter slip away, as Santa Monica won,

41-34, in overtime.

El Camino is ranked No. 11 in the south, according to the

California Community College Football poll, and OCC is ranked No. 19.

Quarterback Ron Venters leads the El Camino offense. He is second

in the Mission Conference in passing, having thrown for 505 yards and

five touchdowns on 27-of-62 passing in two games.