Orange Coast Faces Streak-Busting Palomar

Orange Coast will try to keep it going while the other four Orange County community college football teams hope to get something started in Mission Conference games today.

Orange Coast (2-1), which has won two in a row, takes on Palomar (3-0) at 1 p.m. at San Marcos High. Orange Coast’s players have gained a great deal of confidence the last two Saturdays, but this is the Pirates’ toughest test so far.

Palomar ended Mt. San Antonio’s 14-game winning streak with a 35-21 victory last week and is led by sophomore running back Joe Hall (6 feet 3, 270 pounds). Hall has 589 yards and six touchdowns in 101 carries. Orange Coast is 11th out of 12 teams in the conference at stopping the run.

The Pirates also are 11th in rushing but fourth in passing, thanks to freshman Jared Flint (602 yards and six touchdowns).

Orange County’s other four teams have a combined record of 1-11 and have been outscored, 376-101.

In other games:

Fullerton (1-2) at Cerritos (2-1), 7 p.m.--Hornet Coach Gene Murphy needs one more victory for 100 in his career.

El Camino (3-0) vs. Santa Ana (0-3), Santa Ana Stadium, 1 p.m.--Santa Ana quarterback Archie Lappin came alive in the fourth week last season and the Dons are hoping for the same this year. He completed 56% of his passes last season but is at 45% this season.

Golden West (0-3) vs. Pasadena (1-2), Occidental College, 6 p.m.--Sophomore Paul Tessler has 13 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown for Golden West.

Saddleback (0-3) at Long Beach (3-0), 7 p.m.--Saddleback is 0-3 for the first time in the college’s history and Long Beach has outscored three opponents, 170-17.