Pirates battle prolific Palomar today

The take-home tests are over. Now is the time for the real studying to begin for the Orange Coast College football team.

There will not be any more Comptons — a 26-0 victim Sept. 9 — nor any Santa Barbaras — a 39-7 Pirates victory Sept. 2 — on the schedule the remainder of the season.

It will only be Mission Conference foes the rest of the way for Orange Coast, which plays host to Palomar today at 5 p.m.

The 12 conference teams enter today with a combined record of 19-5. Palomar, OCC and five others are 2-0.

But there are many areas in which Palomar stands alone, especially when it concerns 6-foot-5, 220-pound quarterback Tyler Lorenzen.

The sophomore transfer from Iowa State leads the state in total yards per game at just more than 360 per contest.

“We had a great week of practice. I really challenged our players on the importance of this game.”

Palomar leads the state in points (57) and yards (558) per game.

“Palomar is a stiff test, probably the toughest game of the year,” Taylor said. “Sometimes being scared is good.”

But the Pirates’ defense has been equally scary. OCC leads the state in fewest points allowed and is seventh in total yards per game.

“The defensive line needs to get pressure,” Taylor said. “We’re going to have to have, by far, our best game.”

While the offense has struggled so far, it has held firm in one category. The Pirates have yet to turn the ball over.

Orange Coast will stick with its same game plan on offense, balancing the attack with both the run — Andrew Banks leading the way — and the pass — quarterback Kekoa Crowell and receiver Damola Adeniji.

Taylor said he wants Crowell to have his best game of the season and for Adeniji to build on last week’s three-touchdown performance.

“[Crowell] needs to have a breakout game this week,” Taylor said. “Damola had a breakout game last week and he needs to have another big game this week. We’re going to need all of our good players to step up.”