OCC football: Orange Coast bandwagon travels to Fullerton

Steve Virgen

FULLERTON - Oh, have times changed for the Orange Coast College

football team. In just five weeks, the Pirates have rid themselves of the

underdog label. They have conquered challenge after challenge. And now

they are the favorites.

OCC’s five-game winning streak seems to have everyone jumping on the

bandwagon. The Pirates are ranked No. 10 in the state, even though they

have beaten Nos. 1 and 2 (Mt. San Antonio and El Camino, respectively).

“Everyone is buzzing about Orange Coast football,” Coach Mike Taylor

said after Tuesday’s practice. “I have people calling me from years past

to congratulate me and talk about the team.”

After defeating Palomar, 21-17, Oct. 28, the Bucs took control of the

Mission Conference Central Division. Last week, OCC got a little taste of

what it’s like to be Goliath. And Santa Ana almost pulled off a David of

its own.

It took three overtimes for the Bucs to finally put away the Dons.

With the emphatic 53-41 victory, OCC also overcame the 52-6 drubbing it

took from Santa Ana last season.

This week, the Pirates (5-3, 3-0 in conference play) will again be in

the position to win a game they are supposed to. OCC will play at

Fullerton, today at 1 p.m. If the Bucs win, they will clinch the Mission

Conference Central Division championship, their first in 10 years.

“This is where we want to be,” Taylor said. “It’s a tribute to the

coaching staff and the kids really believing in themselves.”

If OCC wins its next two games, the last being at home against

Saddleback, the Pirates will have their best record since 1990. OCC has

not had a winning season since 1993.Fullerton’s role this week will be

more than just that of the spoiler. The Hornets (3-5, 2-1) actually have a chance to share the conference title if they can win their last two

games.

Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy is well aware of his team’s position, but

he is not satisfied with the Hornets’ performance this season.

“We haven’t had a very good season by our standards,” Murphy said.

“The only good fact remaining is that we have a shot at winning a piece

of our division title, and that’s always been a goal -- so there is some

life left.”

Murphy, now in his eighth season at Fullerton, has been impressed by

OCC’s ride to first place.

“Coach Taylor deserves a lot of credit for turning their season

around,” Murphy said. “Obviously, he’s gotten his team to prepare during

the week and make the right plays when it counts. They’re in the driver’s

seat and they got it rolling in the fast lane right now.”

The Hornets have won two games in a row as they face OCC for their

homecoming game. Fullerton is led by quarterback Jeff Crooks, a 6-foot-3,

210-pound sophomore who leads the team in rushing. He also leads

conference quarterbacks in rushing (385) yards) and has passed for 14

touchdowns this season.

Sophomore Guy Porter is also a threat for Fullerton, in so many ways.

Porter returns punts and kickoffs, starts at free safety and takes his

place at wideout at times. He’s even lined up as a running back to take

some carries. Porter also leads the conference with five interceptions.

Taylor described Fullerton as similar to Santa Ana, without the solid

running game. But the Hornets make up for that with Crooks and big-play

performers.

Porter has caught two passes this season, both for touchdowns of 58

and 80 yards. Last week, in the Hornets win over Golden West, Porter

returned a kickoff for an 88-yard touchdown.

Even though the Bucs are a bit bruised from last week’s victory,

Orange Coast will counter with its big-play offense featuring Justin

Dale, eighth in the conference in all-purpose yards (686, including 517

receiving). Freshman quarterback Nick Higgs triggers the attack. He threw

four TD passes against Santa Ana.

During this week’s practices, OCC linebacker Martin Janzon, who had a

35-yard interception return for a touchdown against Santa Ana, was held

to low contact because of a sore elbow.

Starting offensive left guard Gary Lewellyn missed practices because

of his kneecap, which was dislocated against Santa Ana.

Also, receiver Vince Strang III missed practice time because of a

tender ankle. But, all three players will be ready today, Taylor said.

Lewellyn, the 31-year-old starter, continued to play last week and

Taylor said that proper taping will allow him to remain in the lineup.

Taylor said the Bucs will concentrate on holding on to the ball. Not

in a ball-control sense, but in regard to turnovers. The Bucs lost three

fumbles last week and Santa Ana converted the mistakes into points.