Pirates hope to buck trend

Four words Orange Coast College football coach Mike Taylor does not want to hear either before or after tonight’s 6 o’clock game against National Division rival Santa Ana: “Here we go again.”

The phrase would be a reference to about-face performances for the Pirates after successful starts to the last three seasons.

OCC (4-1), ranked No. 11 in Southern California, is arguably an underdog against the visiting No. 14-ranked Dons (3-2), and a Pirates’ loss would continue the aforementioned trend of failing to sustain early season prosperity.

OCC opened 4-0 the last two seasons. It lost its final six games in 2008 and began division play with a 38-10 setback at Fullerton last week.

After a 2-0 start in 2007, the Pirates lost five of their next six, before finishing the season with a pair of triumphs.

It was a 5-0 start in 2006 that transformed into a 2-4 finish.

Not since 2000, when the Bucs started 0-3, then won six of their next seven, has OCC encountered any prolonged success down the stretch.

For the Pirates to prevail, they will rely on a familiar formula of defense and sophomore tailback Ray Holley.

Holley’s 807 rushing yards on 148 carries this season represent 93.5% of the Pirates’ ground attack. He has also scored eight of the team’s 14 touchdowns. Holley ranks No. 2 in the state with 161.4 rushing yards per game.

Defensively, Orange Coast ranks No. 2 in the state in rushing yards allowed (32.8 per contest) and had surrendered minus-71 yards its first four games, before Fullerton produced 235 yards on the ground.

Sophomore outside linebacker Jimmy Keating (31 tackles), freshman safety Mike Patrick (24), sophomore tackle Kevin Borton (3.5 sacks) and freshman reserve end Bryce Brantley (a team-best four sacks), are among the defensive stalwarts for coordinator Scott Orloff’s unit.

OCC ranks No. 5 in the state in total defense, allowing 235.8 yards per game.

Santa Ana’s offense, averaging 43.2 points per game, has been most productive through the air.

Dons quarterback Jordan Thomas has thrown for 1,301 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has completed 91 of 152 passes with seven interceptions.

OCC’s passing game has been inconsistent at best this season. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Manning was replaced late in the third quarter against Fullerton, but retained the starting job with a strong week of practice, Taylor said.

Manning has completed 46 of 111 attempts (41.4%) for 575 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown six interceptions, to help OCC be minus-one in turnover ratio.

Taylor said freshman backup Ethan Whitsell, who was two for five for 19 aerial yards last week, would play only if Manning struggled or was injured.