OCC players honored

Just like the defense dominated for the Orange Coast College football team in games, it did the same in postseason awards. Six Pirates were named first-team All-Mission Conference National Division, four on defense and two on special teams.

Freshman linebacker Shaun Mohler, a Corona del Mar High graduate, led the way with 99 tackles including 46 solo tackles which were both conference highs. Mohler also made 15 1/2 tackles for loss, which was third in the conference, and forced a conference-high three fumbles.

Sophomore defensive tackle Winter Welz, who had 50 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks, and sophomore defensive end Ryan Wolfe, who was fifth in the conference with five sacks to go with 53 tackles, were named first-team defense for the Pirates who finished 7-3, 2-3 in conference.

Sophomore safety Chris Assily, who made 56 tackles and intercepted three passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown, was named to the first-team defense. Assily was also second with 278 punt return yards.

Freshman Nathan Barnett, who posted a 32.8 kick return average with two touchdowns, both conference highs, was named first-team kick returner.

Freshman C.J. Santiago, who led the conference in punting average (42.4), yards punted (1,779) and long punt (65), was the first team punter.

Sophomore receiver Damola Adeniji, who caught 29 passes for 376 yards and six touchdowns, was named to the second team offense as well as sophomore guard Lawaia Naihe.

Sophomore defensive tackle Lamu Taafua, freshman Benjamin Soza, a Newport Harbor graduate who had 54 tackles and four interceptions, along with freshman cornerback Chris Holmesly, who had four interceptions, were named second-team defense.

Santa Ana sophomore quarterback Kasey Peters, a Newport Harbor graduate, was named second-team offense. Peters was third in the conference with 2,337 passing yards and second with 23 touchdowns.