Hornets sting OCC

COSTA MESA — Though the community college football alliances were altered slightly this past off-season, the American Division of the Southern Conference, within the Southern California Football Assn., is still a bit like the old divisions in the now-defunct Mission Conference.

Just as it was last year in the Mission Conference, two into one in this division still creates a series of violent collusions. Orange Coast College lost the majority of those Saturday night, which led to a 34-27 setback to Fullerton in the Southern Conference American Division opener for both teams at OCC.

The Pirates’ perfect record wasn’t the only thing bruised by the Hornets (4-1), ranked No. 5 in Southern California and No. 12 in the state. Ice bags were spotted on knees, shoulders, ribs and hips after the Pirates — ranked No. 6 in SoCal and No. 13 in the state — endured the pain of defeat for the first time in 2008.

“We got beat up a little bit,” said OCC Coach Mike Taylor, who was quick to credit the effort and desire displayed by his players. “[Fullerton] is a physical team.”

One could also argue the Pirates beat themselves.

After OCC claimed a 10-0 lead by cashing in a Sam Chung interception and driving 80 yards on eight plays, the hosts had a chance to answer a Fullerton field goal with one of their own early in the second quarter.

But an alignment problem on a 47-yard field-goal try allowed Fullerton to rush unblocked toward the holder, who, seeing the kick would have been blocked, tried to run, was hit and fumbled, giving OCC nothing for its troubles.

Late in the second quarter, OCC had trouble fielding a punt as returner Shad Baichtal collided with teammate Benjamin Soza. The muffed reception allowed Fullerton to recover at the Pirates’ 28 with 3:37 left in the half. Two plays later, Fullerton quarterback Jeff Fleming threw the first of his two touchdown passes to tie the score.

OCC responded with a field goal to take a 13-10 lead into halftime, but the Pirates surrendered the lead when Taylor Hughes threw the first of his two interceptions.

Fullerton’s Lee Aguirre picked off the pass at the OCC 20-yard line and returned it to the 16. Four plays later, Fullerton had a 16-13 lead.

It was 19-13 when Hughes, who completed 20 of 34 attempts for 251 yards and three touchdowns, directed a 10-play, 50-yard TD march that he capped with an 11-yard scoring toss to Chris Reihanifam.