OCC faces tough test

The Orange Coast College football team ventures to Escondido High

today to battle Palomar at 1 p.m.

But it’s ground uncharted by a Pirates team since 1991 that Coach

Mike Taylor’s 2-0 squad is trying to reach.

OCC, which has not opened 3-0 since 1991, will attempt to do so

against the Comets (2-0), who are ranked No. 23 in the nation by JC

Grid-Wire.

OCC, on a three-game winning streak, is ranked No. 24 in the state

coaches poll, in which Palomar sits No. 13.

OCC freshman Kekoa Crowell will make his first start at

quarterback for the Pirates, replacing injured sophomore Chad

Schmigel (bruised ribs), Taylor said.

“Crowell doesn’t have a real strong arm, but he can run around and

make things happen,” Taylor said. ‘We’ll put some plays in that are

good for him.”

Crowell rushed for 6 yards on three carries and was 0 for 1

passing in his Sept. 10 debut against Compton.

Defense has been good for OCC thus far. OCC followed an 11-0

season-opening win at Santa Barbara, with a 29-18 home victory over

Compton.

The Pirates have only one offensive touchdown thus far, an 18-yard

pass from Schmigel to fullback Chris Shynn last week.

Sophomore end Justin Williams has been among several defensive

standouts for the Pirates, who lost, 10-7, last season to Palomar and

have lost four straight to the Comets.

Williams has three sacks this season, one resulting in a safety

and another a 53-yard fumble return for a TD.

The Pirates have only one offensive touchdown thus far, an 18-yard

pass from Schmigel to fullback Chris Shynn last week.

Palomar has outscored West L.A. and L.A. Harbor by a combined

62-21 margin, dominating both in the second half.

STARTING PLAYERS

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OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

9 Kekoa Crowell 6-2 180 Fr. QB

22 Robert Aoki 5-8 210 So. TB

32 Chris Shynn 5-9 205 So. FB

6 Eric Dietz 6-1 180 So. WR

23 Shane Hoffman 6-2 200 Sr. WR

88 Russ Willison 6-3 245 So. TE

61 Tommy Crowley 6-4 275 So. LT

76 Gary Jones 6-0 300 So. LG

63 Luke Sapolu 6-0 260 Fr. C

73 Robby Richey 6-3 285 Fr. RG

56 Jerry Ha 6-1 255 Fr. RT

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DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

74 Justin Williams 6-0 235 So. DE

62 Joe Okoturoh 5-10 240 So. DT 94 Alex Mulu 6-0 295 So. DT

44 Paul Bartsch 6-3 275 So. DE

41 Aaron Miller 6-0 215 So. LB

46 Dave Ronning 6-2 230 So. LB

51 Ryan Miller 6-2 230 So. LB

18 Cory Nicol 5-10 165 Fr. CB 21 Paul Barnes 5-8 160 Fr. CB

48 Mordy Ornguze 6-1 205 So. SS 16 Nick Snowden 6-2 195 So. FS

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