Pirates set for season opener at Chaffey College

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College football team will kick off its 2015 season on the road Saturday night at Chaffey College, beginning at 6 p.m.

With a nice blend of veteran returners and talented newcomers, the Pirates will look to improve on last year's 3-7 record. 

"We had a full year to recruit and the players that have come back know 100% what is expected of them and they're passing that onto the new players," second-year OCC head coach Kevin Emerson said. "We definitely have the opportunity to create a better team."

Last year, the Pirates opened against the Panthers and came up short, losing 17-14 at LeBard Stadium. OCC running back Daniel Rodriguez rand for 145 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries, but the Panthers prevailed on a 43-yard field goal by Rigoberto Luna with 28 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Coast brings back several offensive standouts, including Rodriguez, who was injured for most of 2014 and was relieved by fellow returning back Kyle White, who finished 2014 with 581 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 119 carries.

Also back for 2015 is sophomore quarterback Kody Whitaker, who threw for 2,093 yards and 16 touchdowns in just eight games for the Pirates, while on defense, returning linebacker Mike Hayden (69 tackles, 39 solo) and defensive backs Joseph Jackson (67 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions) and Gilbert Gildersleeve (33 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, two blocked kicks) gives Coast some experience around the field.

For the Panthers, who finished 6-5 last year, sophomore quarterback Levi Plante returns for his second year after throwing for 2,001 yards and 11 touchdowns. The talented athlete also ran for 354 yards and six touchdowns, helping the Panthers reach a bowl game in 2014.

Also returning for Chaffey is leading pass catcher Marquis Wimberly, who had 49 receptions for 659 yards and three TDs for the Panthers.

On defense, keep an eye on sophomore Anthonee Yim, who led the Panthers with 76 tackles (35 solo) last year.