OCC Wins on Wade’s 51-Yard Field Goal

Orange Coast College kicker Mike Wade’s school-record 51-yard field goal with 48 seconds left in the game propelled the Pirates into sole possession of first place in the Mission Conference’s Central Division with a 13-12 victory over Riverside Saturday night at LeBard Stadium.

Wade, a sophomore from Santa Inez, had distance to spare on his game-winning kick, which broke the record of 50 yards set by Tom Cortez in 1985 against Saddleback.

Orange Coast (7-2, 6-2, 3-1) was without starting quarterback Greg Angelovic, who was hurtFreshman Donnie Smith from Edison started. Running back Adrain Steen gained 145 yards in 29 carries, including a third-quarter touchdown run for a 10-9 lead.

Riverside (6-3, 5-3, 2-2), which was held to 233 yards rushing, put together an 11-play, 54-yard drive in the fourth quarter to take a 12-10 lead on Jeff McDaniel’s 37-yard field goal.

Smith led the Pirates from their 21-yard line to the Riverside 34 with completions to Derek Whiddon, Keith Labus and Mark Recktenwald to set up Wade’s game-winner.