TODAY’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES : OCC’s Washington Came Westward

A little more than a year ago, Eric Washington had never seen California, let alone a community college football game.

Even though he had no idea what to expect, Washington decided to move from his hometown of Boston, looking for a fresh start.

Washington, a fleet sophomore running back at Orange Coast, had been a standout player as a junior at Sherborn High School, gaining more than 1,000 yards.

Overweight at the beginning of his senior season, he got off to a slow start. Toward the end of the year, he was back up to speed but still didn’t get any serious scholarship offers. Besides struggling on the field, he had his troubles in the classroom. He said his grade-point average was just below 2.0.

Washington, who is 6 feet 1 and 215 pounds, then went to Bridgeton Academy Prep School in Maine in the fall of 1990 in an effort to improve his grades. But he left because “things didn’t work out like I expected.”

But at Bridgeton he met a football player from Oregon who had been looking into California community colleges and suggested Orange Coast, Saddleback and Taft. Washington liked the sound of OCC and called Coach Bill Workman.

“At first my mother was going to move out here, too, but she couldn’t sell her house,” Washington said. “I had no clue what would happen, but I was off to California anyway. If this didn’t work out, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Washington arrived in August last year and was the No. 3 tailback. But before the season was half over, starter Adrain Steen and backup Shane Sherman went down with injuries, and Washington moved into the lineup.

“After I talked to him,” Workman said. “I called his high school coach and found out that he wasn’t going to be a problem. So I told him to come on out and see what happens. We’re glad he did.”

Last year, he rushed for 591 yards in 91 carries, scored nine touchdowns and was selected to the All-Mission Conference first team.

Washington, whose picture is on the cover of the Pirates’ media guide, began this season as the No. 1 tailback with many expectations.

He has been impressive so far this season, rushing for 731 yards in six games and scoring eight touchdowns. He has four games of 100 or more yards--including the last three games. He has rushed for more than 100 yards or more at OCC seven times.

“He’s really a good blocker as well,” Workman said. “He could play fullback, but I don’t think we’ll ask him to.”

In today’s Mission Conference games:

Orange Coast (4-1) at El Camino (4-1), 7 p.m.--Orange Coast had a week off to get healthy and rested for its most important game so far this season. The Pirates are ranked 19th nationally by J.C. Grid-Wire and El Camino is 17th.

Golden West (1-4) at Grossmont (0-4-1), 1:30 p.m.--This is the first of two games against Southern Division teams that could afford the Rustlers a chance to start moving in the right direction. After Grossmont, Golden West plays San Diego Mesa (1-4) next week. Golden West is averaging a conference-low 229 yards in total offense but Grossmont is little better at 295.

Fullerton (0-5) at Riverside (1-3-1), 7 p.m.--Both teams finally get a break from a difficult schedule. Fullerton’s first five opponents have a record of 22-4-1 and Riverside’s are 16-9-2. For the sixth consecutive week, Fullerton will be seeking victory No. 400.

Palomar (4-1) vs. Rancho Santiago (1-4) at Santa Ana Stadium, 7 p.m.--Rancho Santiago hopes to stop a four-game losing streak, but Palomar presents a strong challenge. The Comets have the top offense in the conference, averaging 536 yards a game--including 348 passing. Rancho Santiago is coming off a 38-20 loss to El Camino, but the 20 points were the most the Dons have scored in a game this season.

San Diego Mesa (1-4) at Saddleback (6-0), 7 p.m.--Saddleback, the top team in the J.C. Grid-Wire national rankings, is seeking the program’s 200th victory. Quarterback Tim Snowden needs only 21 yards to become the college’s all-time leading passer. Mike Douglas (1983-84) holds the top spot with 3,496 yards. Snowden also needs two touchdown passes to take over the top spot on the career list from Rod Graves (1968-69).