OCC visits Pasadena

The Orange Coast College football team will attempt to get back on

the winning track tonight, when the Pirates visit Pasadena City

College at 6.

The Pirates (2-1) are coming off their first loss of the season,

having dropped a 40-32 decision Saturday at Palomar.

Pasadena (1-2) has suffered consecutive losses to Golden West

(34-28 Saturday) and Santa Barbara (13-7 on Sept. 10).

OCC defeated Santa Barbara, 11-0, in its opener.

The Pirates will start sophomore Chad Schmigel at quarterback,

hoping to gain some consistency with an offense that has struggled

this fall.

Schmigel, who started the first two games but sat out last week

with bruised ribs, has completed 12 of 33 for 137 yards and one

touchdown. In Schmigel’s first two starts, OCC scored just one

offensive touchdown.

With freshmen Kekoa Crowell and Ethan Haller under center against

Palomar, the Pirates produced a pair of late touchdown passes, one by

each quarterback.

Crowell is doubtful with a hip flexor injury, OCC Coach Mike

Taylor said, noting that Crowell played through the ailment,

sustained in practice two weeks ago, against Palomar.

“Chad knows the offense and he has had a good week of practice,”

Taylor said. “We just need guys to make catches, make blocks, move

the chains and get points. We scored 32 points last week, but we came

up with some different ways to score them.”

Sophomore receiver Shane Hoffman returned two kickoffs for

touchdowns (97 and 83 yards) against Palomar and the Pirates’

defense, which has been consistently strong this season, added it’s

third two-point contribution in as many games.

OCC has twice produced safeties and also scored two points by

returning a fumble to paydirt on an opponent’s two-point conversion

attempt.

The defense has also produced touchdowns on an interception return

(Cory Nichol) and a fumble return (Winter Welz).

The Pirates have also scored on a fumble return following an

opponent’s interception.

OCC has produced a mere 273 rushing yards this season and 303 more

through the air.

Sophomore Robert Aoki is the leading rusher with 207 yards on 55

carries.

Hoffman (six catches for 62 yards) and sophomore Eric Dietz (five

receptions for 74 yards) have been the primary passing targets,

though freshman Damola Adeniji had both TD receptions against Palomar

(9 and 1 yards).

Defensively, OCC has been led by end Justin Williams, middle

linebacker Dave Ronning and strong safety Mordy Ornguze.

ORANGE COAST STARTERS

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OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

2 Chad Schmigel 6-2 175 So. QB

22 Robert Aoki 5-8 210 So. TB

32 Chris Shynn 5-9 205 So. FB

6 Eric Dietz 6-1 180 So. WR

23 Shane Hoffman 6-2 200 Sr. WR

88 Russ Willison 6-3 245 So. TE

61 Tommy Crowley 6-4 275 So. LT

76 Gary Jones 6-0 300 So. LG

63 Luke Sapolu 6-0 260 Fr. C

73 Robby Richey 6-3 285 Fr. RG

56 Jerry Ha 6-1 255 Fr. RT

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DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

74 Justin Williams 6-0 235 So. DE

62 Joe Okoturoh 5-10 240 So. DT 92 Winter Welz 6-0 270 Fr. DT

44 Paul Bartsch 6-3 275 So. DE

41 Aaron Miller 6-0 215 So. LB

46 Dave Ronning 6-2 230 So. LB

51 Ryan Miller 6-2 230 So. LB

18 Cory Nicol 5-10 165 Fr. CB 26 K-ar Sivas 5-10 180 Fr. CB 48 Mordy Ornguze 6-1 205 So. SS 16 Nick Snowden 6-2 195 So. FS

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