OCC football: Palomar next test for Bucs

Steve Virgen

Orange Coast College’s biggest test of the season comes today when

Palomar visits for a football matchup at 1 p.m. that could possibly

decide the Mission Conference Central Division championship.

The Pirates have passed tests three times this season with a

consistent defense and an improving offense that is capable of the big

play.

In Week 4, with just one touchdown to show for its first three games,

OCC went to Mt. San Antonio and pulled off the upset, 26-25. Grade: A.

The following week, OCC’s offense fed off momentum and scored another

stunning victory, 29-27, at Pasadena City College. Grade: A.

Last week, the Pirates (3-3, 1-0 in conference) easily took care of

rival Golden West, 55-21, setting a new school record for offense with

big, highlight-type plays. The defense remained steady. Grade: A.

And now Palomar comes to town with the favorite tag, an aerial attack

on offense and a swarming defense. Grade: Unknown.

The Bucs do know this is their biggest game of the season.

“Anybody who wants to be the division champion has to go through

(Palomar),” OCC Coach Mike Taylor said. “They are, by far, the best team

in our conference. We have to win this game to win the championship.”

The Comets stand at 4-2, 1-0 in conference after taking care of

Fullerton last week, 52-12. Earlier in the season, Palomar beat El

Camino, 37-20, the team that shut out OCC in Week 3. The Comets, however,

lost to Mt. SAC three weeks ago, 37-14. But, Palomar got healthy during

its bye week, shut down Fullerton and is back to form. The Comets are now

ranked No. 24 in the nation according to the J.C. Grid-Wire and they are

No. 10 in the state in JCFootball.com’s Top 25.

“They respect them, but they don’t fear them,” Taylor said of his

players’ approach for today. “This game will have a

division-conference-championship-type setting.”

Leading Palomar at quarterback is Andy Goodenough. His play this

season has been true to his name. Goodenough is completing a

conference-leading 69 % of his passes for 221.5 yards per game. He has

thrown nine touchdown passes with just two interceptions.

Goodenough’s top targets are Deondre Alexander and Jonathan Jones.

Alexander has 32 catches for 427 yards and four scores, while Jones has

16 receptions for 210 yards.

The Comets run a no-huddle offense and rely on timing for the passing

game. Today’s field conditions could slow down Palomar’s game plan.

Taylor expects OCC’s field to be a “quagmire” and might feature more

of a rushing battle. And with that, the Comets will look to running back

Josh Galae’i, the team’s leading rusher with 79 carries for 351 yards, a

4.4 yards average. Also Brendon Sanchez has rushed 40 times for 198

yards, good for 5 yards per attempt.

Palomar’s no-huddle offense is not a hurry-up offense, so OCC will be

able to substitute. The Pirates will depend on linebackers Martin Janzon,

Justin Blackard and Dustin Davis to stuff the run. Safeties Manny Adams

and Barrett Burkett -- who should be ready despite an injury suffered in

Thursday’s practice -- will have to react quickly in reading the deep

pass or supporting the run.

“Going up against (Palomar Coach) Tom Craft is like playing a

60-minute card game,” Taylor said.

Against Palomar’s defense, OCC quarterback Nick Higgs and the

offensive line will have to be ready for the Comets’ blitz package. The

Pirates opened up their offensive playbook against Golden West with

reverses and wide receiver Justin Dale throwing a touchdown pass. A muddy

field at OCC might call for some more gimmick plays to catch Palomar off

guard.

Regardless, the Comets will be prepared for today’s game. They are the

best team in the division and they own the Pirates. Palomar has beaten

OCC four years in a row. It hasn’t even been close the past two years

with Palomar posting a 42-17 beating in 1998 and a 52-35 victory last

year.

“They’re definitely the cream of the Central Division,” Taylor said.

“They’re on the same plane as El Camino, Cerritos and Mt. SAC.”