Pirates continue to fight in loss to Raiders
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Moorpark (1-1) | 21 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
|
Orange Coast (0-2) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
COSTA MESA -- The improved play was on both sides of the ball for the Orange Coast College football team, but the Pirates still have work to do following Saturday night's 49-28 nonconference loss to visiting Moorpark College.
After a rough first half that saw the Pirates (0-2) fall behind 35-14, Coast found success in the second half and managed to not only generate more offensive success, but defensive success as well.
Coast held a Moorpark offense that was explosive against Palomar to 385 total yards, while racking up 466 yards of their own.
Zach Congalton showed off his two-way ability at quarterback, throwing for 130 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-19 passing and also led the Pirate rushing attack with 166 yards on the ground with a touchdown on just 15 carries.
Fellow quarterback, Baylor Ayers was 17-of-34 for 170 yards, with Isaiah Esquibel leading the Pirates with 12 receptions for 106 yards. Touchdown catches were turned in by Kaden Baptista (five catches, 84 yards) and Jackson Trerotola (2-12).
Moorpark quarterback Macloud Crowton threw for 329 yards and four touchdowns on 25-of-35 passing, with Noah Cronquist (six catches for 95 yards, 2 TDs) as the primary target.
Ethan Castillo anchored the Pirate defense with a game-best seven tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
Moorpark grabbed control of the game early and had a 14-0 lead less than four minutes into the contest and a 28-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
From there, Coast managed to play even with the Raiders the rest of the game, thanks to a 43-yard TD run by Congalton, a 5-yard TD run by Ayers and a 12-yard TD grab from Congalton to Baptista.
The Pirates will return to LeBard Stadium on Saturday night against Santa Barbara City College, beginning at 6 p.m.
