Rough start dooms Pirates in opener
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Allan Hancock (1-0) | 14 | 31 | 7 | 6 | 58 |
|
Orange Coast (0-1) | 7 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 29 |
COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College football team had a fabulous opening drive, but struggled to keep the momentum the rest of the first half and fell to visiting Allan Hancock, 58-29 on Saturday night inside LeBard Stadium in the season opener for both teams.
The Pirates managed to kick off the season with some success as they took the opening possession and marched 51 yards down the field on eight plays and capped the drive off with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Zach Congalton to Dorian Webster to put Coast up, 7-0.
But the Bulldogs regrouped and silenced the Pirate offense for the rest of the half, while scoring on their next seven possessions to lead 45-7 at the half. Coast found more offensive success in the second half, outscoring AHC, 22-13, but the Bulldogs were content to running down the clock for the final two quarters of play.
Congalton finished with 222 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17-of-29 passing, while the rushing trio of Congalton, Webster and Mike Callens combined for 118 rushing yards on 27 carries.
Receiver Isaiah Esquibel caught five passes for 114 yards, while Jeremiah Espitia caught five passes as well for 33 yards.
For the Bulldogs, quarterback AJ Vele went 10-of-15 passing for 230 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Caden Harris rushed for 130 yards and a pair of TDs on 16 carries. Vele's top target, Makai Puga caught seven passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns.
Top tacklers for the Pirates included Ricky Barrios with seven tackles, while Jayden Niumata, Rocky Jack and Charlie Iafeta each added six. For the Bulldogs, Connor Wiles and Dylan Heath each had nine tackles, with Heath also earning a forced fumble and a 68-yard TD fumble recovery.
OCC will return to action on Saturday at Moorpark College, beginning at 6 p.m. The Pirates will return to LeBard Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28 against Cerritos, also at 6 p.m.
