OCC takes on Mounties

Orange Coast College freshman outside linebacker Shaun Mohler spent Monday in the hospital, recovering from the flu. But the Pirates’ leading tackler wasn’t the only member of the football team ailing after a season-altering 20-13 loss to arch-rival Golden West in the regular-season finale.

The loss dropped the Pirates (7-3), ranked No. 8 in Southern California, out of the state playoffs and into today’s U.S. Bank Beach Bowl, which kicks off at 4 at Santa Monica College.

The Pirates will meet Mt. San Antonio (8-2), which was equally disheartened about being denied a spot in the playoffs, after sharing the Mission Conference American Division title with Palomar.

The Mounties are ranked No. 7 in Southern California.

“I hope they’re not too mad,” OCC Coach Mike Taylor said of the Mounties, who are vastly similar to the Pirates.

Orange Coast, however, may be without sophomore quarterback Kekoa Crowell, who has been its offensive catalyst.

Crowell, who has thrown for 1,336 yards and 14 touchdowns and has run for another 182 yards and three TDs, was sidelined in the fourth quarter against Golden West when he took a hit on the ulnar nerve of his right, throwing arm. He did not practice all week and Taylor said freshman Chris Debowski will start.

Debowski is five for 10 passing for 64 yards this season, with one interception and no touchdowns.

Taylor said Crowell would try to suit up, and, depending on his ability to throw, may or may not be available.

Mohler, a Corona del Mar High product with 99 tackles, returned to practice Thursday, but Calvin Marshall will start in place of the first-team All-National Division performer.

The OCC defense, which led the 12-team Mission Conference in fewest points allowed (16.5 per game), will also start with freshman cornerback Chris Holmesly on the bench. Holmesly, a second-team all-division honoree who shares the team interception lead with four, missed some practice time due to illness. Sophomore Paul Barnes will start in his place.

Defense has keyed the Pirates and Mounties all season.

Mt. San Antonio finished the regular season leading the conference in total defense (269.5 yards per game) and rushing defense (91.1 yards per contest).

OCC is No. 2 in rushing defense (104.3 yards per game) and No. 3 in total defense.

In addition to Mohler, sophomore end Ryan Wolfe, sophomore tackle Winter Welz and sophomore safety Chris Assily (four interceptions) were first-team all-division choices.

Freshman safety Benjamin Soza (four interceptions), and sophomore tackle Lamu Taafua were also second-team picks for the Pirates.

Taylor said finding a way to deal with the Mounties big, physical front four would be the biggest obstacle to scoring points.

The Orange Coast running game is paced by freshman tailback Andrew Banks, who has 759 rushing yards and seven TDs on 211 carries. Banks also has 14 catches for 114 yards and one TD.

Sophomore Damola Adeniji, a second-team all-division pick, has a team-leading 29 receptions for 376 yards and six TDs.

Taylor also identified turnovers as a key. The Pirates are plus-11 in turnover margin, while Mt. SAC is even.

Yet another key for both coaches, will be motivating their players to show up in what amounts to a consolation game.

“I think everybody was shooting for the playoffs,” Taylor said. “But we’re happy to be playing an 11th game and having the chance to compete one more time as a team. And this is the first time since 1992-93 that OCC has gone to bowl games in back-to-back seasons. I’m confident our team will play well [today].”