Pirates (finally) set sail on 2021 season

COSTA MESA -- For the past 657 days, there has been NO community college football on the campus of Orange Coast College. This Saturday night, that all comes to an end as the Pirates take on longtime rival Golden West at 6 p.m. in this year's annual "Battle For The Bell Game."

"It doesn't matter when on the schedule a rivalry game happens ... it's a rivalry game and anything can happen," OCC head coach Bubba Gonzalez said. "Anytime these two teams get together, it's always a hard-fought game. Being that it's opening week, it's exciting that we are as healthy as we are going to be all season and we are going to go after them as hard as we can. We got to play them in a spring contest and we did some good things against them. OCC and Golden West is a game that everyone knows about and the kids definitely understand it. We are excited to showcase what we have this year."

With such a hiatus from competitive action, there were so many factors in play heading into the 2021 season. Throughout this entire COVID process, Gonzalez and his coaching staff has done a remarkable job to not only keep his roster numbers high, but he also kept players around throughout the sport stoppage. 

"OCC is a special place and we wanted to make sure that our players take advantage of this tremendous opportunity that's in front of them," Gonzalez said. "We focused not only on the Xs and Os of football, but we also paid particular attention to mental health and handling everything that this pandemic has thrown at all of them. Our school has plenty of resources to help them and we're happy that we are slowing getting back to 'normal' again ... hopefully."

Whether it's a two-year break or a 20-year break, Gonzalez is absolutely right about the importance and intensity of the Pirates/Rustlers rivalry, which dates back more than five decades. Let's take a look at the 2021 Pirates, position by position ... 

QUARTERBACKS

The QB spot has talent and depth and it's an opportunity for a few Pirates to battle for the top spot. Leading way is a trio of freshman Brandon Cannella and transfers J.D. Rafkin and Isaac Michaels. "We are excited about all three of them," Gonzalez said. "All three understand our offense ... all three are good athletes and all three bring us that second dimension that allows us to extend the play if we need to. They're all smart, hungry and they're all leaders who want to win."

RUNNING BACKS

As for the overall offensive gameplan, Golzalez wants a balanced attack. "We would like to do it all out there," he said. "Primarily, we'd like to use the run and with success off of that, we will set up our passing."

An old, familiar face leads the Pirate running game with the return of sophomore running back David Hernandez, who led the team with 82 carries and four touchdowns for the Pirates back in 2019. "David is definitely a leader on and off the field for us," Gonzalez said. "He's gotten real strong over the break and now this year, he's not hindered by a knee brace, so his mobility and quickness is better than ever. He's a workhorse for us and I expect to see him on the field a lot for us this year,"

Joining Hernandez in the backfield include Newport Harbor HS graduate Collin Gregg, as well as returning versatile back J.P. Segura-Queijeiro. "I'm excited about Collin being here and once he gets caught up a bit, he's going to be a key piece to our puzzle," Gonzalez said. "J.P. played with us back in 2019, but he got hurt so we're looking forward to seeing him back healthy and ready to go. He's got good running ability, but we can also throw him into the slot position as well, so we have options out there with him."

TIGHT ENDS

Another returning Pirate -- sophomore Jacob Munro -- highlights a very strong piece of the offensive puzzle for OCC in 2021. Munro has the size and the overall tools to garner attention throughout the country. "Jacob is 6'6, 230 pounds and he was ready to go in 2020, but we're super excited to have him back for one more season," Gonzalez said. "He will have the ability to showcase his blocking and catching skills and he's a kid who definitely has Division I potential written all over him. We actually converted him from being a quarterback, so that shows how coachable of a kid he really is."

Adding to the depth and talent at this position include Los Alamitos grad Edwin LaCrosse, who brings a 6'4, 225-pound frame to the mix. "He's definitely a hybrid-type of tight end ... a kid who can definitely block and catch the ball for us," Gonzalez said. "He's a strong kid, who's hands are money in the open field. The sky is the limit with this kid."

Look for the trio of Johnny Soto, Glenn Atkins and Max Difilippo to battle for playing time to further provide depth. "All three have done a great job of learning our offensive system and we will utilize them throughout the season," Gonzalez said. 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Tennessee State bounceback Boogie Lilley-Sneed highlights a wide receiver corps looking to do some damage for the Pirates in 2021. "The minute that Boogie stepped on our campus, he instantly became a leader for our program," Gonzalez said. "He completely changed the atmosphere of the group and we expect to lean on him throughout the season. We give the No. 1 jersey to someone special ... someone who leads on and off the field ... and Boogie has earned the No. 1 jersey this year. He's a kid who is excited for that type of challenge."

In addition to Lilley-Sneed, returning all-conference selection Aaron Fletcher returns to the Pirate mix after catching 22 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown for the Pirates in 2019. Also making an immediate splash for Coast heading into the season opener includes Weber State bounceback A.J. Allen, as well as fellow teammates Jamaal Fisher, Jason Cannella and Noah Diver, among others. "All of these guys are expected to be ready to contribute at all times. With our leaders at this position, they've all learned how to work hard and do whatever it takes to help the team, as a pass-catcher, as a blocker or even on special teams. Every position is important for us to be successful."

OFFENSIVE LINE

The size is big and the athletic ability is strong with the 2021 offensive line at OCC. Leading the way with this group is 6'7, 320-pound Villa Park graduate, Jeremy Caballero, along with fellow VPHS grads Nathan Maneafaiga and Jonah Kuresa. "Overall, we've got 8-9 guys who we can plug into the line and we expect them to provide us that support we need for our offense to be successful," Gonzalez said. "They need to go out there and set the pace and they do a great job of fighting for us on every play."

DEFENSIVE LINE

Much like the O-Line, the Pirates have the size and athletic ability to get the job down on the D-Line. "Speaking from experience as the defensive line coach, it's a very coachable group, which is awesome," Gonzalez said. "We've got 10-plus guys who are contributing and really want to lead the way for us. They want to dominate and set the tone on the defensive side of the ball."

Returning DE Grant Conaway anchors a deep and talented group. In 2019, Conaway came up with 23 total tackles and 2.5 sacks and comes in as a preseason All-American selection. "People know he's going to be our main guy up front," Gonzalez said. "He brings us a ton of energy ... he's never a guy I have to ask for MORE effort. 

Fellow returner Nick Greco, along with newcomers Jesse Sparks and Jesse Barragan, this formidable group will be a force to be dealt with this year. "We're strong up the middle and we're athletic on the ends ... can't ask for much more than that," Gonzalez said. 

LINEBACKERS

"This might be the biggest and most athletic bunch of guys we have at any position out there." 

Strong praise from Coach Gonzalez about his the 2021 linebacker corps. Leading that group will be bounceback Ronnie Cannon out of Buena Park HS. "He established himself as a leader of the linebackers right away," Gonzalez said of Cannon. "He's a kid who asks great questions and really wants to learn every day about the position to get better and better. He wants to win and he's a tremendous athlete."

Look for fellow LBs Marquise Alexander, Patrick Benison, Malcolm Perry, Joseph Ruiz and Jake Hall to make a ton of noise on the field for the Pirates up the middle of their defense. "Love Jake's size and speed out there," Gonzalez said. "Marquise gets better and better every year and we're excited to see him back for 2021. With Malcolm, he played in our scrimmage and had a nice interception for us and he looked great. Joseph is one of those high-energy/high-motor guys who is doing a better job of playing with more control, but we like intense guys at that position. Patrick was a grey shirt for us and now he's solidified himself as part of this talented group and we're happy to have him."

SECONDARY

In addition to the quality of the athlete OCC has in the secondary this year, Gonzalez is equally proud of the intangibles this group brings. "The 'quality' of the kids are so good and we have more and more of them," Gonzalez said. 

The spark in the defensive backfield is Washington native and El Camino transfer Corey Sampson. "He's stepped up as the main leader of the secondary," Gonzalez said. "He's a smart and super-athletic young man and we expect him play a major impact for us."

Joining Sampson as the last line of defense for the Pirates include DBs Shane Shiel, Nathan Bernal, J.D. Rafkin, and Damien Koclanakis. "Like I said, it's a very coachable group and it's a group that expects a lot out of each other," Gonzalez said. "They will do a great job of keeping each other accountable for their assignments out there."

SPECIAL TEAMS

Some of the offensive talent on the Pirates will be seen on the special teams as well, including returners Lilley-Sneed, Fletcher and defensive back Noah Skobis. "All three of these guys have the ability to give us some big plays on special teams," Gonzalez said. "All three are dynamic enough to flip the field position in our favor on any given kickoff or punt, which was a fantastic weapon to have."

Returning to the kicking mix for the Pirates is sophomore Zach Grisotti, who played in a limited role in 2019, but, look for him to see a much more expanded role as a kicker AND punter in 2021. "He's been consistent in the 35- to 40-yard range and at this level, that's crucial to get those points when they're available," Gonzalez said. "He's really done a good job improve on his punting skills during this down time, which is an added bonus for us.

"One thing about playing on special teams ... it's an important part of the game. I'm excited we've got a group of veteran guys who are willing to get on the field and play on our special teams. They understand the importance of each play on the field for us."

OVERALL

In addition to the usual thoughts and concerns a football coach has with his players ON the field, there now has to be thoughts devoted to life OFF of the field during this time of COVID. "It's so important for all of us that we follow COVID protocols and do the right thing off of the field," Gonzalez said. "These kids have worked so hard during this stoppage ... the last thing we need is any reason to pause or stop things because of an outbreak of positive testings. It's important this year that ALL of our players are ready at all times because you never know what may happen and your name might get called to step in. We need to control what we can control and learn how to adapt and overcome. We've done a great job of working hard and busting our butts this off-season. Now it's time to go out there and have some fun. We see a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel now."