Oh So-za good to be back

There were no game uniforms, no powerhouse opponent and, by all rights, no official score during the Orange Coast College football team’s preseason scrimmage against visiting East Los Angeles Friday night.

But none of that mattered to Pirates’ sophomore safety Ben Soza, who had waited more than a year to unleash himself on opposing receivers and ballcarriers as a standout member of the OCC defense.

Soza, a Newport Harbor High product who earned second-team All-Mission Conference National Division honors as a freshman in 2006, missed all of 2007 after sustaining a broken collarbone early in preseason drills, days before the Pirates scrimmage last season.

And Soza, a 6-foot-2, 215-pounder, wasted little time making an impact, intercepting a pass on the eighth play of the visitors’ first possession.

It was one of several highlights for the Pirates, who scored four times, including once on defense, while allowing the Huskies to reach the end zone only once.

The format consisted of alternating 15-play series on offense and defense, as well as some work on the kicking game. The two teams then played two timed quarters, moving the ball and changing possession as they would in a game.

“I’ve waited a whole year to get back,” said Soza, who shared the team lead with four interceptions and was in on 69 tackles, second most on the team, in 2006. “Even when I came back and put the pads on last year, I didn’t get a chance to hit. So, it was just nice to be out here hanging out with the guys and actually being a part of the team. I’ve been working hard, running and lifting, so it was good to be back on the field.”

OCC’s defense controlled the Huskies, with the exception of a 58-yard touchdown bomb on the final play of the opening 15-play series.

Bias Easley added an interception for the Pirates.

The OCC offense also had some strong moments, primarily in the passing game.

Sean Reilly, a freshman quarterback battling returner Taylor Hughes for the starting job, connected for big yardage with sophomore receiver Cameron Hall. Reilly hit Hall on a 59-yard touchdown bomb and another 26-yard scoring strike. He also completed a 44-yard streak to Hall, who averaged 43 yards on his three receptions.

Reilly, who did not play in 2007 after earning Orange County All-Star honors as a senior out of Trabuco Hills High, finished eight of 13 passing for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Hughes completed five of nine passes for 56 yards, while freshman Kyle Burdett was five of seven for 47 yards. OCC did not throw an interception.

Freshmen tight ends Anthony Vidal and Tate Norris were also frequent targets for OCC, which had 12 players record at least one reception.

Vidal had four catches for 33 yards, while Norris caught two passes for 29 yards.

Ahmed Mokhtar, a freshman tailback who went to Oregon State out of Mater Dei High, led the ground game, collecting 33 yards on eight carries.

OCC rushed 35 times for 107 yards, including a one-yard touchdown plunge by freshman Kenroy Davis.

Kevin Ah-Hi, the returning starter at tailback, carried twice for two yards, before being shut down due to a contusion on his right elbow. He later said he was fine and would have played with the injury, had it been a real game.

OCC, which also scored when freshman safety Keahi Raikes returned a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown, had no significant injuries as they prepare for the season opener Sept. 6 at home against Santa Monica.

“We need to realize we played who we played and we have to get better for Santa Monica,” OCC Coach Mike Taylor said.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at [email protected].