Pirates aim to tame Tigers

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - Finally, it’s time for the hits, tackles, touchdowns

and blood to count for something as the Orange Coast College football

hosts Riverside for the 2000 season opener tonight at 7.

“We’re excited to get underway,” Coach Mike Taylor said. “Me and the

coaches have been looking at the tape and we appear faster than we were

last year, which is a plus.”

The Pirates, 4-6 last year and 2-3 in the Mission Conference’s

Northern Division, are going to need every bit of speed to take on the

Tigers, who walloped OCC, 48-15, last year.

“I think our sophomores want to make amends for that game last year,”

Taylor said. “Needless to say, we didn’t play too well.”

It was the big play that killed the Pirates the last time the two

teams faced off. Five of Riverside’s seven touchdowns were on plays of 30

yards or longer.

Sophomore Scott Shepard threw for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns

for the Tigers, who finished last year 4-6 overall, 3-2 in the Central

Division.

“They’ve got some speed and they’ve got some size up the middle,”

Taylor said.

The size up the middle is the Tigers’ offensive front, averaging

6-foot-3 in height and 310 pounds in bulk.

“We have the athletes who can handle the big guys,” Taylor said.

“Their offense isn’t all that complicated and it isn’t that flashy. They

play more of a smash-mouth style and they keep it basic.”

For the Pirates’ offense, it will be led by Justin Simons. The 6-0,

180-pound sophomore is backed up by 6-1, 195-pound Nick Higgs with punter

Eddie Johnson (Newport Harbor High) close behind.

“Who knows, all three might see some action,” Taylor said. “All three

brings something different to our offense and all three can help the ball

club.”

One guy who actually has a fond memory of last year’s game with

Riverside is James Dawkins. The then-freshman kickoff returner scored on

a 92-yard run, the longest touchdown of the season for OCC. He, along

with fullback Paul Hargrove, will look to lead the Pirates’ running game.

Simons will have three experienced sophomore targets in receivers

Anthony Valanos and Justin Dale, along with tight end Ben Fredrickson.

The offensive line of Adam Fisher, Gary Lewellyn, Ethello Hall,

Anthony Knutson and Brent Larkin will be instrumental in the Pirates’

offensive success. OCC only had 168 total yards of offense due to long

night by the offensive line.

Led by sophomore linebackers Martin Janzon, Justin Blackard and Dustin

Davis, OCC’s defense is loaded with experience and talent, provided they

stay healthy and can keep the Tigers’ offensive weapons in check.

James Guglielmana, Tony Wagner, Vance Babin and Dan Stringer anchor

the defensive line, while speedsters Angel Andrade, Johnnie Peeples,

Manny Adams and Brandon Thornton cover the secondary.

“We’re a little banged up in a couple of areas on defense, but it’s

nothing to be totally alarmed about,” Taylor said.