Pirates fight hard, but come up a point short to Canyons

SANTA CLARITA -- In a season where it could be so easy to just go through the motions and get to the finish line, the Orange Coast College football team fought to the final second against College of the Canyons. In the end, the host Cougars edged the Pirates, 20-19, but not without an inspired effort by an OCC squad that is not giving up.

Trailing 20-7 with just over four minutes left in the game, the Pirates showed its grit when they capped off an 8-play, 56-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Keanu Vasquez to Zain Prater, getting the Pirates back to a one-score game at 20-13. 

Canyons took over possession and was on the verge of closing the game out when William Norton forced a fumble from COC's Isaiah Rameau. Pirate teammate Brody Roman recovered the fumble and with 1:41 remaining, OCC was back in business with one final chance to tie or win the game.

On 4th and 10 from the OCC 48, the Pirates needed a first down and got it when Vasquez found Nui Ka'apana for a 17-yard completion, keeping OCC's hopes alive.

Another big came play came three plays later when Vasquez connected with Prater on a 31-yard connection and suddenly, the Pirates had first and goal from the 4-yard line. After a 3-yard loss, Vasquez connected with Grady Chancellor on a 7-yard TD with 26 seconds left to bring Coast to within a point at 20-19.

Electing to go for the win, Vasquez tried to connect once again with Chancellor, but the duo did not connect for the game-winning 2-point conversion. From there, Canyons recovered the ensuing onside kick and ended the game. 

Vasquez had his best game of the season, completing 32-of-51 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns for the Pirates. Anthony Osorio led the ground game with 44 rushing yards on 11 carries, while top Pirate receivers included Prater (3 catches, 58 yards, one TD), Chancellor (5-26, one TD), Joseph Flannigan (4-33, 1 TD) and Marcus Royster (5-43).