Community college football: Bucs crushed, 44-2

ESCONDIDO - The nightmare-type season continued for the reeling

Orange Coast College football team Saturday. The Pirates loss their

fourth straight game when Palomar plowed through the Bucs, 44-2, in a

Mission Conference Central Division rematch of last year’s co-champions

at Escondido High.

The Comets (6-1, 2-0 in conference) beat OCC (2-5, 0-2) in every

facet, building a 34-0 halftime lead. Palomar also controlled the clock

nearly 20 minutes longer than the Bucs (39:39 to 20:21).

“This wasn’t a rematch of last year’s co-champions because (Palomar

is) definitely a better team,” OCC Coach Mike Taylor said. “They are by

far the best team in the Mission Conference.”

The Pirates recorded just six first downs and managed 50 plays from

scrimmage for 80 yards of total offense. Thirty yards came on a pass in

the final minute by third-string quarterback Spencer Ramsey.

Of the 25 passes thrown by Coast’s three quarterbacks, an equal number

were completed as were intercepted: Five.

Meanwhile, Palomar gained 527 yards on 97 plays from scrimmage and

punted just three times in the game. The Comets’ total offense numbers

shrunk due to a bad snap on a punt that resulted in a 34-yard

team-rushing loss and a safety, OCC’s only score of the game.

Palomar took the lead for good on the game’s opening drive, marching

80 yards on 16 plays and scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run on

fourth-and-goal by Rory Palmer. After limiting the Pirates to a

three-and-out on their first offensive possession, the Comets answered

with their second touchdown in as many drives, moving 38 yards on five

plays and taking a 13-0 lead on a 2-yard scoring run by Chris Williams.

“They were just too good for us,” Taylor said. “We did some good

things besides what the score says. We just need to come back and get

ready for Santa Ana. I’m glad we’re not playing these guys again.”

The Mission Conference’s No. 1 offense displayed its leaders in

passing and receiving as quarterback Andy Goodenough completed 24 of 39

passing for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Deondre Alexander caught nine

passes for 92 yards and a score.

The Pirates return to action Saturday at 1 p.m., when they host Santa

Ana.