Pair of Pirates join on with four-year programs

Orange Coast College sophomores Chris Holmesly and Matt Harris will continue their football careers at Idaho State and Montana State, respectively, Pirates Coach Mike Taylor said Monday.

Holmesly, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound cornerback, earned first-team All-Mission Conference American Division honors in 2007, when the Pirates finished 5-5, 3-2 in division play. Holmesly, a second-team All-National Division performer as a freshman, had two interceptions and ranked fifth on the team with 52 tackles in 2007. He was the Pirates’ best cover corner and also returned punts and kickoffs.

Harris, like Holmesly a Mission Viejo High product, made 69 tackles from his middle linebacker spot, third on the team The 6-2, 225-pounder helped OCC lead the 12-team Mission Conference in total defense.

Harris had 14 tackles for loss and was in on three sacks in 2007.

Holmesly said he chose Idaho State over several other Division I-AA programs, including Montana State, Sacramento State, South Dakota State and Delta State.

“I really like the coaches at Idaho State and there were a few guys there I knew, like Dan Urias [out of Saddleback College, via Laguna Hills High].”

Holmesly said the Big Sky Conference program, 3-8 last season, expects him to start next season at cornerback.

Holmesly is driving to Pocatello today and plans to major in secondary education.

Harris said he chose Montana State over Portland, Montana and Idaho, because the Bobcats coaches pursued him more aggressively than other schools.

He will shift to outside linebacker, where he said he is projected to start next season in the four-threescheme.

“I like the environment and the young coaching staff,” said Harris, who is scheduled to leave Wednesday for the Bozeman campus. He plans to major in business management.

Montana State, also a member of the Big Sky Conference, was 6-5 last season.

— Barry Faulkner