Griffins burn Pirates

EL CAJON — Through its first six games this season, the Orange Coast College football team’s formula for success became readily apparent.

But, with its second loss in three games, the methods with which to defeat the Pirates have also become no less obvious.

Host Grossmont used the latter to produce a 43-12 triumph Saturday in a National Division game that clearly exposed a few OCC weaknesses, while also countering one presumed strength.

The Pirates (5-2, 1-2 in the division) were plagued by an inefficient passing game and an overmatched secondary in what was their most lopsided loss in 73 games.

Not since Palomar topped them, 43-6, in 2002, have the Pirates been beaten so thoroughly.

Only its typically stout defensive front seven saved OCC from being trounced worse, as the Pirates, ranked No. 12 in the state, produced six sacks to limit the Griffins (7-1, 2-1), ranked No. 9 in the state, to 28 rushing yards on 30 attempts.

Grossmont, however, found the airways much more inviting. Sophomore quarterback Matt Jarvis threw for 367 yards, including touchdown tosses of 61, 60, 50 and 37 yards.

“They have some athletes and they kind of took advantage of our lack of athleticism at some positions,” said OCC Coach Mike Taylor, obviously referring to his cornerbacks.

Jarvis wasted little time exploiting the OCC secondary, finding Jacob Podpora all alone over the middle for a 50-yard touchdown on the Griffins’ third offensive snap.

But thanks to tackles Justin Niutupuai and Kevin Borton, as well as linebackers Travis McNaughton, Jimmy Keating and Bryan Pali, the Pirates helped keep things close heading into halftime.

OCC’s offense did not cross midfield until midway through the second quarter and, after his 27-yard field-goal attempt was blocked, freshman Lucas Vandeman finally got the visitors on the board with a 47-yard field goal with six seconds left before intermission.

“It was 10-3 at half and I thought we’d come out and play better in the second half,” Taylor said.

But four interceptions and a continuation of Jarvis connecting for big gains through the air, created a downward spiral from which the Pirates could not escape.

Jarvis averaged nearly 23 yards per completion, while OCC passers averaged fewer than one completion every three attempts.

Freshman Ethan Whitsell, making his first career start, finished 14 of 42 with the four interceptions. He was sacked three times and also pressured into throwing the ball away a handful of times.

He produced 155 aerial yards, as just two of his completions went for more than 13 yards. His two biggest connections were for 31 yards to Jeff Waldron and 26 yards to Kali’i Kunitomo.

Sophomore Kyle Manning, who had started the first six games, entered late in the contest and completed just one of four attempts.

OCC’s 15 completions in 48 attempts resulted in a success rate of 31.2%.

“The quarterback position is obviously a giant question mark at this point,” Taylor said.

Even the Pirates’ typically reliable ground game was disappointing.

Sophomore tailback Ray Holley, whose 166 rushing yards per game ranked No. 2 in the state coming in, had only 50 yards on 26 attempts. His longest gain was nine yards and half of his carries resulted in two or fewer yards.

Holley, whose ailing right knee was heavily taped (he sprained his medial collateral ligament Oct. 17 in an overtime win over Santa Ana), now has 1,048 rushing yards on the season.

McNaughton was in on three sacks, while Niutupuai was in on two. Pali had a solo sack and Barton shared another for the Pirates. Niutupuai also blocked a conversion kick.

Freshman Keenan Allen had an interception for OCC.

Vanderwal added a 33-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter and freshman backup tailback Israel Lee scored on a five-yard run with 55 seconds left for the Pirates’ only touchdown.

“We’ll just have to coach them up and get ready for Saddleback [Saturday at home at 6 p.m.],” Taylor said.

Grossmont 43, Orange Coast 12

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Orange Coast 0-3-0-9--12

Grossmont 10-0-14-19--43

FIRST QUARTER

Gros – Podpora 50 pass from Jarvis (Muenzer kick), 11:30.

Gros – Meunzer 28 FG, 4:47.

SECOND QUARTER

OCC – Vanderwal 47 FG, 0:06.

THIRD QUARTER

Gros – Pettis 60 pass from Jarvis (Muenzer kick), 9:01.

Gros – Podpora 61 pass from Jarvis (Muenzer kick), 7:18.

FOURTH QUARTER

Gros – McLeland 37 pass from Jarvis (kick blocked), 12:29.

Gros – DeMartino 5 run (kick failed), 9:53.

OCC – Vandeman 33 FG, 7:53.

Gros – Fofana 33 pass from Cary (Fofana kick), 4:49.

OCC – Lee 4 run (pass intercepted), 0:55.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

OCC – Holley 26-50; Lee, 7-25, 1 TD; Burdett, 1-0; Fuentes, 1-minus 6; Whitsell, 5-minus 10.

Gros – DeMartino, 16-52, 1 TD; Cary, 2-7; Alix, 2-4; Martin, 1-3; Salum, 1-2; E. Hernandez, 1-minus 1; Jarvis, 7-minus 39.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

OCC – Whitesell, 14-42-4, 155; Manning, 1-6-0, 7.

Gros – Jarvis, 16-30-0, 367, 4 TDs; Cary, 2-4-1, 49, 1 TD.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

OCC – Estrada, 4-39; Kunitomo, 3-45; Reihnanifam, 2-18; Fuentes, 2-16; Waldron, 1-32; Burdett, 1-12; Allen, 1-1; Tracy, 1-minus 1.

Gros – Podpora, 6-156, 2 TDs; McLeland, 3-59, 1 TD; Pettis, 2-74, 1 TD; Maull, 1-42; Fofana, 1-33, 1 TD; Martin, 1-23; Corder, 1-16; Driscol, 1-11; Hill, 1-4; Alix, 1-minus 2.