Coast already on ‘real time’

Bryce Alderton

It was a scrimmage, but don’t tell that to the Orange Coast College

football team.

Without an opponent to slam helmets with during the preseason, the

Pirates have been relegated to two intrasquad scrimmages, the second

of which occurred Saturday inside LeBard Stadium on the OCC campus.

But the hits were anything but slight as they rattled up the

bleachers and Pirates’ head coach Mike Taylor observed an offense

that showed it could move the ball and a defense that displayed

hitting prowess in front of an estimated 75 onlookers.

“The hitting was crisp and I was very pleased with the offense, we

moved the ball twice on long drives,” Taylor said. “These guys have

been going at each other for two weeks, so it will be good to get a

common opponent next week.” Coast opens at Glendale at 1 p.m. next

Saturday.

Taylor limited Saturday’s scrimmage to 53 plays, down from the

original plan of 70 plays to limit players’ chances of sustaining any

injuries. The Pirates also scrimmaged Aug. 23, when they ran 48

plays.

Freshman quarterback Beau Budde, who helped lead San Clemente High

to the CIF Southern Section Division II semifinals last fall, capped

an impressive, sustained drive with a 15-yard touchdown toss to

6-foot-2, 220-pound freshman Justin Humalon. Humalon reached over the

defender’s head to grab the ball and also draw a pass interference

penalty that was declined.

Budde will most likely start when Coast opens its season at

Glendale. Kelika Higa, a 6-foot sophomore, also saw substantial

action Saturday, completed two passes for 14 yards, including an

11-yarder to sophomore fullback Harry Faciane, a 5-11, 220-pounder

out of Gig Harbor High in Washington.

Higa then showed his toughness two plays later on second down at

the 41. Higa dropped the snap, recovered, then scampered to the far

sideline, where he was met with a ferocious hit by Darrell Walker at

the 40. Higa managed to stay on his feet and scampered to the 29 for

a gain of 30 yards. The Coast sideline erupted in cheers on the play.

“[Higa] is a tough, strong guy for his size,” Taylor said. “Both

quarterbacks did well.” Higa will rotate in Saturday, Taylor added.

Sophomore Derek Aspinwall, who took over as starting quarterback

after the second game last season, will redshirt this season, and use

the year of eligibility when he transfers next fall.

Freshmen tailbacks Chris Vega and John Black also impressed Taylor

Saturday.

Vega ran three times for 13 yards while Black rushed four times

for 16 yards. Black’s key run was a draw up the middle for 17 yards

on third-and-10 from the 34. Freshman Lorenzo Calderon, a 5-8,

170-pound freshman from El Modena High, added 18 yards on two

carries. Freshman fullback Jimmy Niutapuai, a 270-pounder out of

Huntington Beach High, paved the way on several runs with key blocks.

“We blocked much better today,” Taylor said.

Coast will use a rotation of Black, Vega and Calderon against

Glendale Touted freshman Roderick Haynes, a 190-pound back who played

high school football in Germany, is recovering from a nagging knee

injury, Taylor said.

A shoulder injury kept the 6-3, 322-pound freshman Blake Sorber

out of action Saturday, but Taylor expects him to be ready for

Saturday.

Game-type hits were provided by returning sophomore linebackers

Beau Gertz and Ryan Miller. Gertz ripped through the middle and

stopped a ballcarrier for no gain on first down, while Miller burst

through the line to drop a back for a 2-yard loss during the

second-to-last offensive series. Miller’s hit elicited an “It’s

Miller Time,” shout from a teammate on the sideline.

Freshman defensive back Josh Cronkite capped the two-hour

scrimmage when he leaped over a receiver to snare a floating pass,

then picked up 6 yards on the return.

Special teams was also enforced Saturday. The kickoff and punting

teams spent several minutes working on snaps, coverage and blocking.

Paul Briggs, who enters his 19th season as an assistant at Coast

-- the last three with the special teams -- patrolled the end zone,

barking out commands, as Coast sophomore punter Bryce Sheridan, a

Costa Mesa High product, readied to boot from near the back line.

“Let’s work on those snaps,” Briggs, 83, said. “Good, now let’s do

a few more.”

Sheridan’s punt sailed to around the 40, where it was tipped,

rolled 5 yards to the 35 and there was Gertz, diving head-first to

pounce on the ball. Gertz’ hustle earned praise from the coaches.

Sophomore linebacker Andy Howe even got a chance to punt. He

booted a high floater that sailed 41 yards and was downed at the 5.