Orange Coast vs. College of the Desert
When/where: Tonight, 6 at College of the Desert
Key Pirates: So. WR Keali’i Doll (20 catches, 234 yards, two TDs); So. SS Bryan Pali (44 tackles); Fr. LB Earnie Sagiao (37 tackles); Fr. C Alec Davis.
Key Roadrunners: Fr. WR Jordan Calhoun (35 catches, 558 yards, nine TDs); So. LB Raphael Finley (44 tackles, four sacks); Fr. QB Charles Fortis (630 yards, seven TDs passing); RB Christopher Zavala (337 yards rushing, two TDs).
Breakdown: The Pirates (2-5, 1-1 in the East Division) and Roadrunners (3-4, 1-1) enter tied for third in the six-team division. The winner will earn at least a share of second place, joining the loser of today’s first-place showdown between division unbeatens Santa Ana and Riverside … OCC is coming off a 37-10 win over Southwestern that was the Pirates’ best scoring output of the season … OCC is still ranked last in the division in scoring and total offense … OCC is ranked first in the division in total defense and second in rushing … Fortis was named East Division Offensive Player of the Week, after throwing five TD passes in a 47-44 loss to Santa Ana on Saturday. He completed 29 of 46 passes for 380 yards … Coach Mike Taylor said OCC will start freshman Zach Emde at quarterback after freshman A.J. Josue missed most of the week with a concussion sustained against Southwestern …Desert defeated Southwestern, 23-16, on Oct. 16 … OCC sophomore cornerback Joe Galvez earns a start after his three interceptions last week … The two teams are a combined minus-11 in turnover ratio … COD has 22 sacks this season. OCC has 10.
— Barry Faulkner