Football: Bucs look to find offense tonight

Tony Altobelli

LONG BEACH - Just the mention of last year’s six-overtime 49-42

victorious battle with Long Beach City College sends cramps up the legs

of those Orange Coast College players who played in the marathon.

“I told the players that I don’t think this one will go six

overtimes,” Pirates Coach Mike Taylor said with a laugh. “I have a

feeling this one will be decided the old fashioned way.”

The Vikings (1-0) enter tonight’s 7 p.m. game on a winning note,

defeating Santa Ana, 34-7, while OCC fell last week to Riverside, 17-2.

“Long Beach is a very athletic group, but I don’t think they’re quite

as big as Riverside,” Taylor said. “They match decent size with quickness

and outstanding athletic ability. They’re a very good football club.”

For OCC, its success will start at the offensive line. Last week, the

Tigers, who averaged a whopping 284 pounds up front, had their way with

the Pirates, holding OCC’s running game to minus-21 yards on the ground.

Freshman Nick Higgs will get the starting nod at quarterback, but

according to Taylor, look for Justin Simons to take some snaps as well.

“Most likely, they both will get some playing time,” Taylor said.

“Each one brings something different to the game and depending on what’s

going on, the right guy will be in there.”

Whoever is at QB, the protection needs to improve on last week’s

results. Riverside sacked OCC quarterbacks seven times and had numerous

Tigers nipping at the heels of Simons and Higgs.

Defensively, the Bucs will be without the services of Justin Blackard,

who will miss at least a week with knee cartilage damage.

“We’re a little banged up, but we’ll make some adjustments and get

through it,” Taylor said.

OCC gave up the fewest points out of any Mission Conference Central

Division club (17), holding Riverside to only 234 yards of total offense.

Sophomore Dustin Davis tackled fullback Marcus Guzman in the end zone,

netting the lone two points for OCC.

Long Beach finished last season a disappointing 4-6, 1-4 in the

Mission Conference’s Northern Division, but with returning offensive

players Clint Bingham and quarterback Clinton Sanders, a return to the

top of the conference standings might not be too far from reality.