Pirates on solid ground

When it comes to the ground game, at least, tonight’s football matchup between Los Angeles Southwest College and visiting Orange Coast appears to be an immovable offense against the Pirates’ irresistible force.

The OCC defense limited Santa Monica to minus-12 yards rushing in last week’s 44-28 season-opening road victory.

Meanwhile, Southwest posted minus-40 yards on the ground in its 46-12 setback against El Camino.

“We moved around pretty well [against the run],” OCC Coach Mike Taylor said of his team’s season debut, in which 23 players were in on at least one tackle.

Freshman safety Mike Patrick and freshman cornerback Joe Galvez were each in on six tackles to lead the way for the Pirates, who come into tonight’s 6 o’clock kickoff ranked No. 22 in the state, No. 12 in Southern California.

And while OCC did surrender 324 passing yards last week, Southwest managed just 98 yards through the air against El Camino to finish with 58 yards of total offense.

Offense was somewhat one-dimensional for OCC, as sophomore tailback Ray Holley produced 222 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. The Pirates finished with 280 rushing yards and just 88 through the air, as sophomore quarterback Kyle Manning was six for 21 passing with one interception in his collegiate debut. He did throw a touchdown pass.

The OCC aerial attack took a hit in practice this week, Taylor said, as freshman receiver Derrick Romo, who had one reception for 36 yards last week, was lost for the season with a torn knee ligament.

OCC will be looking to correct a few glitches on special teams, including one muffed punt reception that turned into a Santa Monica touchdown.

The Pirates also had four turnovers, matching Santa Monica’s total.

Southwest also broke even in the turnover department against El Camino (three apiece), but failed to convert on either of its conversion attempts.

The Pirates’ defense terrorized the Cougars in last season’s 31-7 victory at Orange Coast.

Southwest was sacked 11 times and managed just five rushing yards on 30 attempts.

OCC will be without sophomore center Frank Arriola, who is nursing a sprained ankle, Taylor said.

Sophomore London Sapolu, who had the best game of any offensive linemen last week, Taylor said, shifts from guard to center.