New faces abound at OCC

With six straight losses to end the campaign, some might suggest the 2008 season was one to forget for the Orange Coast College football team.

So, perhaps, it is a positive that those who compiled the overwhelming majority of the statistical evidence last fall are no longer on the roster.

“Obviously, we were a very sophomore-oriented team last year,” Coach Mike Taylor said of his 4-6 unit that, outside of a 41-14 drubbing at Palomar, suffered five setbacks by an average of just six points.

Sophomore tailback Ray Holley, who led the team with 464 rushing yards on 99 attempts and was second on the team with 23 receptions, is the primary statistical link to 2008.

Holley figures to improve upon those numbers, due to an offensive line bolstered by four players who have all compiled plenty of starting experience.

Defensively, four starters return, though it would have been five, had sophomore Matt Henry not been sidelined for the season with a broken foot, sustained early in preseason drills.

The Pirates open their season Saturday at 6 p.m. at Santa Monica.

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown:

Quarterback: Sophomore Sean Reilly started one game and threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns last season, when Taylor Hughes threw for 1,992 yards and 17 touchdowns, and also led the team with five rushing TDs.

Reilly completed 31 of 62 passes with three interceptions, but figures to benefit from first-year coordinator Junior Tagaloa, who takes over for Matt Mitchell, who is now at Servite High.

“It’s more of a pure West Coast offense now [with Tagaloa, a former receiver at OCC and Cal, calling the shots],” Taylor said. “The quarterbacks are getting rid of the ball much quicker and there’s a greater sense of urgency.”

Sophomore Kyle Manning, freshman Ethan Whitsell and freshman Zach Emde are the backups.

Running backs: Holley earned second-team All-National Division honors as an all-purpose selection last season.

“He’s tough ... a kind of whirling-dervish-type guy,” Taylor said of the 5-foot-9, 190-pounder. Sophomore Brandon Allen (6-0, 255 pounds), who played defensive end last season, is the projected starter at fullback, Taylor said.

Other tailback options include Israel Lee, a freshman from Arizona, and Kevin Ivey, a freshman from New Orleans who bounces back from Louisiana Lafayette.

“I think he can be the real deal,” Taylor said of Ivey, who has explosive quickness.

Jack Tracy, who last played as a senior fullback-linebacker on Newport Harbor High’s CIF Southern Section Division VI title team in 2005, is a freshman expected to contribute in the backfield.

Freshman Bill Chimphalee, the Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year in 2007, was expected to contribute, but suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage.

Receivers: Then-sophomore Cameron Hall had 51 catches for 740 yards and six TDs as the primary target.

Sophomore Chris Reinhanifam (12 catches for 122 yards and one TD last season) is the top returner, while Kyle Burdett, a sophomore, is a converted quarterback.

Freshman Brandon Estrada was an All-CIF performer at Mayfair High and Taylor also listed freshmen Kalii Kunitomo and Lano Fuentes as additional prospects.

Keali’i Doll, who caught three TD passes as a starter last season, is ineligible, Taylor said.

Tight end: Sophomores Anthony Vidal (6-5, 250) and Cordell Simmons (6-4, 250) provide a tandem Taylor considers the best in the National Division.

Vidal had 19 receptions for 248 yards and two TDs last season and Simmons had seven catches for 87 yards in five games in 2007.

“They are both tall, can catch and are very athletic,” Taylor said.

Offensive line: Center Frank Arriola (6-1, 288) and right guard Gerald Crisp (6-4, 315) both started last season.

Harrison Lauer (6-4, 290) started in 2007, but was ineligible last season.

London Sapolu, who has already committed to the University of Hawaii, was also ineligible last season. He started at defensive tackle as a freshman in 2007, but has shifted to offense, where his father earned All-Pro distinction for the San Francisco 49ers.

Freshman Robert Wright (6-2, 290) is the projected starter at right tackle.

Sophomore Charles Schulz (6-5, 300), a Newport Harbor High product, figures to also play at tackle.

“It’s one of the better groups we’ve had in awhile,” Taylor said.

Defensive line: Sophomore Justin Niutupuai (6-0, 300) returns at one tackle spot. He was second-team all-division after making 33 tackles last season.

Sophomore tackle Kevin Borton (6-0, 270) returns after sitting out last season.

Freshman Aaron Henry (6-0, 262), sophomore Taylor Beukes (6-2, 245), freshman Bryce Brantley (6-4,230) and sophomore Kevin Patrick (6-2, 240) are manning the end spots.

Sophomore Josh Madrigal (6-1, 290), who played in 2007, and freshman Tavita Tanielu (6-2, 310) should also provide depth.

Linebackers: Matt Henry made 56 tackles to earn second-team all-division recognition. The void his injury creates is expected to be filled by freshman Eric Wiersma (6-1, 225).

“He doesn’t look like much getting off the bus, but he has good football sense,” Taylor said of Wiersma, who helped lead Mayfair to the CIF Southern Division title game last fall.

Sophomore Jimmy Keating, third on the team last year with 58 tackles, returns at one outside spot.

Freshman bounce-backs Travis McNaughton (Northern Arizona) and Corbin Davis (University of San Diego) are candidates for the other outside starting nod.

McNaughton, a former Mater Dei star, was sidelined by a knee injury last season.

Freshmen Sean Small (inside) and Matt McCloskey (outside) provide what Taylor said was qualify depth.

Secondary: Keahi Raikes started a handful of games at free safety as a freshman, when he had two interceptions.

Freshman Mike Patrick is the projected starter at strong safety, Taylor said.

Freshman Eric Morrison, a bounce-back from Eastern Michigan, by way of Saddleback College, is among the front-runners at cornerback.

Freshmen Joe Galvez and Keenan Allen, as well as sophomore Anthony Curry are additional prospects at corner.

Also in the mix at safety are freshmen Bryan Pali, Corey Coppenhaver and Angelo Looney.

Kicking game: Sophomore Jake Fields returns after averaging 37.4 yards per punt.

He is also a candidate to handle kicking chores.

But kicker-punters Alex Metskas, Lucas Vanderman and Dane Fernandez, all freshmen, are also in the mix.