OCC vs. Grossmont
When/where: Today, 1 p.m. at Grossmont College
Key Pirates: So. DT Isaiah Reupena (18 tackles, 1.5 sacks); So. OLB Travis McNaughton (17 tackles); So. SS Bryan Pali (16 tackles); So. WR Keali'i Doll (14 catches, 130 yards, one TD).
Key Griffins: So. QB Ryan Woods (81 for 122 passing for 1,047 yards and nine TDs); So. WR Alex McLeland (22 catches, 287 yards, two TDs); SO. LB Derek Holsapple.
Breakdown: The Pirates (0-3 for the first time since opening the 2004 season 0-5) are facing long odds against the Griffins (2-1), ranked No. 9 in Southern California and No. 16 in the state … OCC's three offensive touchdowns are more than only one of 37 schools in the Southern California Football Assn. and the Pirates rank No. 33 in rushing (61.3 yards per game), No. 35 in pass efficiency and tied for No. 36 in sacks allowed (18) … OCC ranks 35th in the SCFA in scoring defense, giving up 38 points per contest … Grossmont, a 43-12 winner over OCC last season, features the SCFA passing leader in Woods, who averages 349 yards per game through the air … OCC sophomore defensive end Bryce Brantley termed last week's 46-10 home loss to Los Angeles Harbor a wake-up call in the team's postgame huddle … No OCC player has more than one touchdown this season … OCC freshman Zach Emde makes his third start at quarterback … OCC Coach Mike Taylor calls the Griffins his team's toughest test to date.
— Barry Faulkner
