OCC Ready to Get Back Into Action

All Orange County community college football teams had a bye last week and it couldn’t have come at a worse time for Orange Coast, which faces Golden West tonight at 7 at OCC as Mission Conference Central Division play resumes.

The Pirates (2-3) were rolling with consecutive victories over high-ranked teams. They defeated Pasadena, then ranked No. 5 in Southern California, on Oct. 7 and beat Mt. San Antonio, then No. 4 in the nation, on Sept. 30.

Kicker Rob Pate keyed both victories with game-winning field goals. Pirate quarterback Nick Higgs has completed more than half his passes for 493 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games after completing 22 of 67 for 282 yards with no touchdowns in the first three.

Although Golden West (0-5) has lost 25 consecutive games, the Rustlers have not lost to the Pirates in that span. Orange Coast played in the North Division the last two years and the teams have not played since a Golden West victory in 1997.

Santa Ana (0-5) begins defense of its Central Division championship looking to avenge its only division loss last season when it faces Saddleback (1-4) at 1 p.m. at Santa Ana Stadium. Saddleback won, 25-23, last year.

Fullerton (1-4), coming off a 36-26 victory over Long Beach, visits Palomar (3-2) at 1 p.m.