Coast battles Chaffey, but late FG dooms Pirates

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College football team opened the 2014 season with a solid effort against the Chaffey College Panthers at LeBard Stadium, but a late field goal proved costly for the Pirates in a 17-14 loss on Saturday night.

The Pirate defense played inspired football for all four quarters, holding the Panthers and last year's American Division MVP quarterback Dimitri Morales to just 17 points, while forcing four turnovers.

But, the OCC offense struggled in the second half and the Panther defense allowed just 82 total yards in the second half, allowing their offense to rally from a 14-7 halftime deficit.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Pirates found some offense and they found it in the legs of freshman running back Daniel Rodriguez, who dashed 66 yards for a touchdown, giving OCC a 7-0 lead after a Griff Amies successful PAT.

But the Panthers responded and pounded out a 12-play, 79-yard scoring drive, capped off by an 18-yard touchdown pass from Morales to Michael Robert to tie the game at 7.

Rodriguez, who finished with 145 yards on 16 carries, picked up his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run, wrapping up a nine-play, 91-yard drive and giving Coast a 14-7 lead. Rodriguez left the game midway through the third quarter with a leg injury and did not return to action.

OCC started the second half with the ball but could not convert a fourth-down opportunity, giving the ball back to Chaffey.

Three plays later, Panther running back Tyler Telphy found an opening and ran 36 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 14.

It would remain that way for the majority of the second half. Coast started numerous drives in decent field position, but the Panther defense would not allow the Pirate offense any momentum. With just under six minutes left, Coast attempted a 44-yard field goal, but the kick sailed wide right.

Chaffey took over and pounded the ball for 47 yards over the next nine plays, draining most of the fourth-quarter time off of the clock.

Finally, with 28 seconds remaining, Rigoberto Luna ripped a 43-yard field goal, putting the Panthers up for good.

The passing tandem of Alec Dombkowski and Xavier Gomez combined for just 105 yards and an interception on 14-of-32 passing. Their top target was wide receiver Mark Munson, who caught seven passes for 71 yards.

On defense, OCC was led by Caleb Potter (eight tackles, two fumble recoveries), Derrick Worthy (six tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery), Paul Swanson (six tackles), ReShon Howard (six tackles) and Joseph Jackson (three tackles, two forced fumbles).

The Pirates will return to action on Saturday at Cerritos College, beginning at 7 p.m. OCC's next home game will be Saturday, Sept. 27 against Fullerton, also at 7 p.m.