Pirates kick off 2024 season with home battle with Bulldogs

COSTA MESA -- The 2024 football season is about to begin and for the Orange Coast College Pirates and head coach Bubba Gonzalez, all of Pirate Nation is looking forward for the opportunity to see what this year's group is made of.

Step 1 of the journey begins on Saturday afternoon, when the Pirates host Allan Hancock inside LeBard Stadium. For Gonzalez and his Pirates, it's a opportunity they've embraced since wrapping up a frustrating 2023 campaign. 

"After last year, we really went into the spring and into this preseason with the feeling of redemption for everyone involved with the program last year," Gonzalez said. "That not only includes the sophomores this year and our coaching staff who were here last year, but also to the incoming freshman players who want to show the world what they are capible of becoming as football players. We've all got something in our past that we want to prove. After a year of reflection and adjusting things we need to do to get guys to earn their success, we feel like we are in a good place heading into this season. There's no hanging heads from last year ... we are moving forward and I know that if we continue to battle and play for each other and be aggressive and take it to whomever we play on every play, we can be successful.

"I'm excited about this group. I saw some good things in our scrimmage against Palomar. We moved forward and showed some consistency on the offensive side and guys were flying around hitting guys on the defensive side. There are still plenty of things we need to work on but I love the direction this team is going."

QUARTERBACK -- On the offensive side of things, the field general heading into the 2024 season is sophomore quarterback Zach Congalton, who amassed over 2,300 yards of total offense, including 1,804 passing yards and 506 rushing yards with 15 total touchdowns. "Zach has really developed and looks the part of a sophomore quarterback coming back to lead this team," Gonzalez said. "He's shown tremendous composure in the pocket and he has more confidence, not only in the offense, but in himself. We've added some pieces around him which will make our offense better and will take some of the burden off of him, but he's athletic enough to still make plays if things break down around him. That's why he's a very hight sought-out player for us this year."

After a rough start to the season, Congalton played his best games for the Pirates in the second half of the season, throwing for over 200 yards in four of his last five games. "After a full season last year and a full off-season with his, he really has a good grasp of what he wants to do out there."

If Congalton needs a breath, look for backup quarterback Sonny Tierney to step up and lead the Pirate offense. "He grey shirted for us last year and he's done a good job of learning from Zach on how to run this offense for us," Gonzalez said. "Sonny is a different style ... more pocket based, but he can definitely read what the defense is giving him and he has the ability to deliver the ball when it needs to be thrown."

RUNNING BACK -- Returning sophomore Paul Mendoza looks to help carry the load for the Pirate RBs, but look for a trio of newcomers to bring much-needed depth and athletic ability to the position, including freshmen Dorian Webster, Daniel Sonnenberg and Anthony Osorio. 

"Paul brings confidence to the running backs and he's been able to work hard to get his body right to not only run the ball for us, but to also be a blocker for us," Gonzalez said of Mendoza. "Dorian is an all-personality type of guy who brings a lot of excitement and he loves what he does. He's elusive but not afraid of contact either. Daniel is a local kid from Edison High School and he brings that Edison mentality which has really been great for our program. He's a kid who really wants to show what he can do and that he belongs and excels at this level. He's got speed, toughness and can catch the ball out of the slot as well. As for Anthony, he's a guy that is really a hard-nosed kid who can block and will really help get our running game moving, with our without the ball."

WIDE RECEIVERS -- Sophomore WR Isaiah Esquibel returns to the Pirate catching game after leading the team with 45 receptions for 409 yards. "Isaiah has done a fantastic job of showing the new guys what we are trying to do out there and he brings more speed and toughness for us," Gonzalez said of Esquibel. "He's a guy we know who can catch that crucial pass for us." Freshman WR/RB Mike Callens brings a 5'11, 175-pound frame to the mix and is one of those mix/match type of players for the Pirates. "Another fast, tough kid, who can catch the ball as well as carry the ball for us, depending on the matchup in front of us," Gonzalez said. "He's got the speed to keep other teams honest and he brings a definite maturity level to the position."

TIGHT ENDS -- Returning tight end, Joesph Flannigan brings a ton of experience and grit to the tight end spot and he'll look to improve on last year's numbers, where he caught 42 passes for a team-best 454 yards and four touchdowns. "At 6'2, 205, he doesn't look like the biggest tight end in the world, but he's a kid who's not afraid to hit you with everything he's got," Gonzalez said. "He's not afraid to block and hit and to the dirty work on the line, but he's also got good hands and he's always at the right place at the right time. Our QBs will definitely be looking for him when we need to make a big play in the air."

OFFENSIVE LINE -- With four guys returning from last year, the depth and experience on the Pirate O-line is hard to beat across the other positions and that's going to be a huge advantage, according to Gonzalez. "Any time you get four guys in the trenches with that much experience, their confidence level goes up and the fact that after last year, they're still here and ready to compete, they now know what level they have to play at for us to be successful," Gonzalez said. "In the scrimmage, they did a great job of opening up holes and helping us sustain drives and allowing us to keep the ball. Anchoring the O-line include sophomores Ane Shibuya (6'0, 285), William Ramage (6'0, 285), Nathan Caracheo (6'3, 295) and Daryn Bernard (5'10, 260). Joining the vets include freshmen Rico Alatasi (6'3, 250) and Enoka Fatuesi (5'11, 250). 

DEFENSIVE LINE -- While there might be a lack of experience, there's definitely not a lack of athletic ability up and down the defensive line, according to Gonzalez. "This is a group that is really night afraid out there," Gonzalez said. "All offseason, I've challenged them and they've answered the bell each and every time. They're willing to compete and as a coach, that's all you can ask for out of your guys." Leading the group includes freshman Tasi Sauta, who, "has the aggression and quickness and understanding of the game," according to Gonzalez. Included in that mix will be fellow freshen Jeremiah Cuahuey (6-3, 215). "He's got good length for D-lineman and he's another kid who's ready to take on whatever is thrown is way," Gonzalez said. 

LINEBACKERS -- "To me ... this is the strentgh of our defensive side." Strong praise from Gonzlez when it comes to describing his linebacker corps. Sophomore leaders Joseph Near and Charlie Iafeta bring back the leadership but a combined 79 tackles from their freshman seasons. "Both are leaders who know what we need to do out there," Gonzalez said. "Charlie is the veteran guy and Isaiah brings a certain amount of joy to the game when he steps on the field." Joining that duo include freshmen Jayden Niumata, wearing the prized No. 0 for the Pirates this year. "He's a D-II bounceback and he brings a whole new level for that group, something we haven't seen around OCC in quite some time. He brings everything to the position and when he comes to hit, he comes with bad intentions. It's the perfect position for him and we're super excited to have him. Another bounceback for the Pirates is Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer Rocky Jack. "He brings energy and accepts the challenge whenever someone gives him one," Gonzalez said. "I've had to dial him back a bit during our practices because he is hitting through people, which is awesome, but not against his own teammates."

DEFENSIVE LINE -- This is a group of guys who are battling and competiting for the slots on the field as we speak, according to Gonzalez. "It's a competitive group and all are working hard to get those starting slots," Gonzalez said. "As the season goes, the top guys will rise to the top and we will know who to count on in the defensive secondary. Among those in the forefront is Utah native Rob Cook, who has a solid frame (6-1, 193) and will be looked upon to be the shut-down guy for the defensive backs.

SPECIAL TEAMS -- Returning sophomore Calvin Kirchoff had a solid freshman campaign for OCC in 2023 and will look for even better numbers in 2024. "Calvin will be kicking and punting for us this year and he's got a good, heavy leg with good power," Gonzalez said. "He's gone to a lot of the kicking camps and returns to us as a highly-ranked kicker/punter." As for the returners, look for Webster and Esquibel to be the main guys to help shorten the field for the Pirates for each new possession.

As for this year's season-opening team, Allan Hancock College, the Bulldogs finished last year 7-4 with wins in six of their final seven games. "They're an old-school, downhill, power type of team that want to run the ball down your throat," Gonzalez said. "Last year, they beat us with physicality and we weren't ready for the fight, but if our guys can fly around the field defensively and remain aggressive, while limiting mistakes, we will do much better. The moment we stop being aggressive, that's when they (AHC) start to role. How well will be be able to handle adversity when it comes up this season? That's going to be the season-long theme for this group. Find the grit and find ways to overcome challenges.

"I like the mentality of this team. We aren't two groups of offense and defense ... we are ONE team. I saw in the scrimmage offensive guys fired up for our defense and vice versa. Everyone is supporting everyone and we are all in. The excitement for this year comes from that ... and they want to get into it."