Pirates drop fifth straight in 23-21 loss to Rustlers

COSTA MESA -- For the third straight year, the "Victory Bell" will reside in Huntington Beach.  Costly mistakes at the wrong time proved to be the difference as the Orange Coast College football team dropped its fifth straight overall, 23-21, to rival Golden West in the annual West-Coast Showdown.

It's the first three-game win streak for the Rustlers (3-6, 1-4 in Southern Division) over the Pirates (3-6, 1-4) since they won four straight from 1979-1982.

Marcus Hays rushed for 237 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries to lead GWC.

For the Pirates, it was another frustrating loss in a season filled with frustrating losses. Four costly turnovers and two missed short field-goal attempts proved to be the difference in the game.

After the Rustlers jumped out to a 20-7 lead in the first half, the Pirates began to peck away at the deficit and on their first series of the third quarter, a 12-play, 78-yard scoring drive was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Robert Penny. It was Penny's only series on the field as he battled hampered with a sinus infection which kept him on the sidelines most of the evening.

Coast held GWC to a punt and again marched down the field, but the drive came up empty following a missed 36-yard field goal by Jackson Dionne.

The Pirates' defense, which allowed over 300 yards in the first half, came up big and forced another punt, but on their first play from scrimmage, a botched snap led to a fumble, which was recovered by the Rustlers.

Big penalties helped push GWC out of field goal range, but on the ensuing punt, OCC dropped the ball and the Rustlers again recovered.

This time, the Rustlers would get points as Peter Marquez drilled a 26-yard field goal to make it 23-14.

Coast again marched down the field on a 15-play, 68-yard drive, but again came up empty when a 23-yard field goal by Chavo Camargo was sent wide. 

Another successful defensive stand by the Pirates gave the offense one final chance to get back into the game, but another costly fumble did the hosts in. A pass from Cameron Biedgoly to Bryan Keller got the Pirates inside the Rustlers' 5-yard-line, but Keller turned the ball over and the Rustlers recovered.

GWC turned the ball back over to the Pirates with 1:29 remaining and on the next play, Biedgoly (18-of-31, 207 yards) hooked up with Tyler Duncan on a 16-yard touchdown reception, cutting the deficit to 23-21.

However, OCC's onside kick attempt was recovered by the Rustlers and they managed to knock down a desperation pass by the Pirates in the game's final seconds to retain the Bell.

Defensive standouts for the Pirates were Frank Chambers (14 tackles, one fumble recovery), Nick Cody (11 tackles, four solo) and Austin Bennett (nine tackles, one forced fumble).

Coast will wrap up the regular season on Saturday at Fullerton College, beginning at 6 p.m.