Pirates to host L.A. Harbor in home finale
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COSTA MESA -- The final home game of the 2021 season for the Orange Coast College football team on Saturday against L.A. Harbor inside LeBard Stadium, beginning at 6 p.m.
In addition to it being the final home game of the regular season, Saturday's matchup with the Seahawks also is the final home game for 16 OCC sophomores who have endured far more than any other sophomore class throughout their Pirate careers.
Starting a new chapter of Pirate football with new head coach, Bubba Gonzalez, this sophomore class also had to stay strong to the program during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Dealing with training and staying focused athletically and academically while isolated from their teammates, this group will forever be remembered in Pirate football history, regardless of the wins and losses.
"These sophomores have gone through a lot of adversity with COVID and despite all of the setbacks, they show up every day, ready to work," Gonzalez said. "They have shown a lot of character and I am proud of them for never giving up."
The turnover bug bit the Pirates (1-6, 0-3 in American Metro Division) hard during last weekend's 56-14 loss to Santa Ana as three OCC interceptions were returned for touchdowns ... a point that Gonzalez wants to see greatly improve heading into Saturday's matchup with the Seahawks (2-6, 0-3).
"We need to execute on both sides of the ball," Gonzalez said. "We can't turn the ball over and have penalties that stall drives, or continue drives for our opponent. We need to be ready on both sides of the ball for a hard-fought football game on Saturday night."
It was a team collaboration on offense for OCC against the Dons. The quarterback tandem of Brandon Cannella and J.D. Rafkin combined to throw for 141 yards on 14-of-27 passing and each threw a touchdown, while the rushing trio of J.P. Segura-Queijeiro, David Hernandez and Colin Gregg combined for 138 yards on the ground on 37 carries. Receivers Jacob Munro (4 receptions, 65 yards), Gregg (3-45, 1 TD) and Edwin LaCrosse (5-29, 1 TD) were the primary targets for the OCC quarterbacks during last week's game.
The Seahawks come into LeBard Stadium on a five-game skid, most recently a 26-19 home loss to Glendale College.
In that game gainst the Vaqueros, quarterback Javin Fish had a solid afternoon, throwing for 237 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-37 passing, with top targets including Erik Amos (7 catches, 74 yards), Emmanuel Davis (4-66, 1 TD), Kajuan Casey (4-58) and Jerad Braff (3-35).
For the season, running backs Tre Samuels (72 carries, 349 yards, 1 TD) and Virgil Tynes (49-223, 1 TD) have carried the bulk of the load for L.A. Harbor, while on defense, Dylan Cardenas has been a standout for the Seahawks with 44 tackles (31 solo) with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
For the Pirate defense, keep an eye on sophomore standouts Marquise Alexander and Grand Conaway, who have combined for 75 tackles and six quarterback sacks (three each) in 2021.
