OCC trio lead in honors

Orange Coast College sophomore tailback Ray Holley, who set a school single-season rushing record with 1,457 yards this season, is one of three Pirates to be named first-team All-National Division.

Sophomore defensive tackle Justin Niutupuai, like Holley, was a unanimous first-team selection. OCC sophomore outside linebacker Jimmy Keating also earned first-team recognition.

Representing the Pirates (5-5, 1-5 in the division) on the second team were sophomore offensive guard-center London Sapolu and sophomore tight end Anthony Vidal.

Holley, a 5-foot-9, 190-pounder, scored 18 of OCC’s 20 rushing touchdowns and produced 97.2% of the team’s yards on the ground in 10 games. He finished the regular season ranked No. 3 in the state in rushing yards per game (145.7). He was a second-team all-division choice as a freshman.

Niutupuai (6-0, 300 pounds) had 7.5 tackles for losses, including 1.5 sacks, and made 28 tackles for the Pirates, who finished the regular season ranked No. 3 in the state in fewest rushing yards allowed (69.5 per game). He recovered one fumble, forced another and had two quarterback hurries.

Keating (6-1, 208) led the Pirates with 59 tackles, including 11.5 for losses, with 2.5 sacks. He had one interception, recovered two fumbles, broke up one pass and had one quarterback hurry.

Sapolu, a 6-0, 295-pound Costa Mesa High product, was consistently the Pirates’ top offensive lineman. The University of Hawaii-bound standout, who played defensive tackle his first season at OCC in 2007, played both guard and center.

Vidal (6-5, 250) had six receptions for 58 yards in four games.

Fullerton tailback Kenny Turner, a freshman from Florida, was named Offensive Player of the Year, while Long Beach sophomore defensive back Genesis Fonoimoana was Defensive Player of the Year.

Fullerton’s Tim Byrnes was Coach of the Year.

— From staff reports