Community College Football : Shanks Comes to OCC’s Defense : Pirate Tackle Is Making Life Miserable for Quarterbacks

Jeff Shanks isn’t hard to find on the football field. Just look for the guy making the tackle.

Shanks, a 6-foot 4 1/2-inch, 251-pound defensive tackle, leads Orange Coast College in tackles with 47. He also leads the team in sacks (seven) and tackles for losses (four). He has also recovered a fumble.

Statistics like those are drawing more attention to Shanks than his mohawk haircut. Recruiters at four-year colleges are also paying attention--the University of Arizona and the University of Florida are showing serious interest in Shanks, he says.

Shanks and the Pirates (1-3, 1-4) play San Diego Mesa (3-1, 4-1) today at 1:30 p.m. in a Mission Conference game in LeBard Stadium.

Shanks’ success hasn’t been unexpected, however.

The Pirates’ only returning defensive starter, Shanks led Orange Coast linemen with 47 tackles as a freshman, even though he missed the last four games with a hip injury.

Orange Coast Coach Bill Workman said he depends on Shanks to be a team leader.

“I can tell they listen to me on the field,” Shanks said of his defensive teammates. “It’s a good feeling out there this season.”

Shanks, like his teammates, had to learn a new system this season from new defensive coordinator Barry Waters, who replaced Jack Fair.

“Last season we absorbed the offense and played a conservative style of defense,” Shanks said. “This season we are willing to give up a little more. We gamble and shoot the gaps (blitz) a lot. We’re a big-play defense and I like the aggressive style we play. That’s my style.

“But it was Coach Waters who made the difference for me. He has taught me a lot about playing defense and about life. He’s really been the difference this season for me.”

In other Mission Conference action:

Southwestern (4-0, 4-1) vs. Saddleback (2-2, 3-2), Saddleback Field, 7:30 p.m.--The Gauchos have lost two straight for the first time since 1982. The Gauchos have not lost three in a row and have lost three in one season only once since Ken Swearingen became Saddleback’s coach in 1976. A Southwestern victory would all but end Saddleback’s streak of 10 consecutive conference championships. The Gauchos have scored 19 points in the two defeats, last week to San Diego Mesa, 14-3, and the week before to Riverside, 21-16.

San Diego City (0-4, 1-4) vs. Rancho Santiago (1-4, 2-3), Santa Ana Stadium, 7:30 p.m.--The struggling Dons have lost three straight. Sophomore John Cook, who has completed 109 of 181 passes for 1,183 yards and 5 touchdowns, has been consistent at quarterback for the Dons. Little has gone right for the Knights after defeating Mt. San Jacinto, 14-12, in their opener. San Diego City has lost four straight and been outscored, 179-43, in the process.

In South Coast Conference action:

Compton (0-2, 0-5) vs. Golden West (2-0, 5-0), LeBard Stadium, 7:30 p.m.--The Tartars lead the conference in total offense and passing but are last in team defense, having given up 26 touchdowns. The Rustlers, who lead the conference with 15 interceptions, should present problems for Compton quarterback Lance Salters, who has been intercepted 12 times.

El Camino (2-0, 2-3) vs. Fullerton (1-1, 2-3), Fullerton District Stadium, 7:30 p.m.--The Hornets need a victory if they are to remain in contention for the conference title. El Camino is led by former Katella High School quarterback Craig Kennedy, who is third in the conference in passing. He has completed 75 of 147 attempts for 877 yards and 5 touchdowns.