By
Tony Lee
On
Sunday, November 15, 2009
It’s hard to explain what Orange Coast College football player Ray Holley has that makes him the best running back our school has ever seen.On Saturday, Holley, playing in his 10th game of the season and his fourth with a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL), needed 252 yards to break the school’s single-season rushing record of 1,442 yards set by Jeff Clayton in 11 games.The 5-foot-9-inch sophomore from El Modena High School knew what he needed to do and opted not to tape his knee so he wouldn’t have to think about the injury.As a result, Holley played in arguably his best game at OCC, rushing for 266 yards and all five of the team’s touchdowns on Saturday and set the all-time record at 1,457 yards in a season.
“It feels great,” Holley said. “I worked for it, everyone else worked for it and they helped me get there. It was a great group of guys we played with and it was fun. I just wish that it would last another week.”However, the Pirates did lose to Long Beach City College 42-38 and no one was more disappointed than Holley.“It sucks to be a sophomore, come out and be this close to make it to a bowl game,” Holley said. “It just sucks to lose this way.”But it’s not just the single-season rushing record that he’ll be known for.“That kid’s got the most heart that I’ve ever seen,” said teammate Jimmy Keating after the 33-27 triple overtime victory against Santa Ana College on Oct. 10.Holley sprained MCL on the Pirates’ first offensive possession in that game but played through the injury and finished with 42 carries for 191 yards and three touchdowns n the last being the game winning score.That’s not just having heart. That’s having courage, determination and pride like no other athlete I’ve ever come across.Ever.He also puts on an eye-black before every game with the initial PIW — which stands for put in work.“The guy’s a solider,” sophomore teammate Jimmy Keating said. “Put in work is his motto. He puts in the work everyday and no one wanted (Saturday’s game) more than him.”Head coach Mike Taylor said that Holley not only puts his time in on the football field during practice, but he also studies films regularly and puts the effort in the weight room.“Ray’s a great kid; I’ve said that from the get-go,” he said. “He’s a team kid, the team loves him, he’s got lots of energy (and) he practices hard.”This season, Holley had 75 percent of the Pirates’ touchdowns, involved in 45.3 percent of plays of scrimmage and rushed for 311 times — almost 100 more times than the previous record holder Bart Recktenwald (216).The stats and records he has set speak volumes about his football abilities but it’s what’s behind pads and the helmet that makes him truly stands out.This season, he’s also showed all the Coast fans the expression of “leaving everything out on the field.” This season, he showed what it means to play through an injury.Records are mean to be broken but I hope no one breaks the school records Holley’s set in 2009.[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Vikings advanced 84 yards on nine plays to score on the Pirates and took the lead with 1:11 left in the game.Long Beach's Darrius Young had two critical 22-yard receptions, the second of those being a touchdown, to put the Vikings up 42-38.
On the ensuing kickoff, Coast's Cody Matthews returns it for 24 yards and puts the Pirates on the 39-yard line.
After one incompletion, Coast's Kyle Manning connected with Calvin Brister on a 20-yard pass to get the Pirates to the 41 yard line. With 32 seconds left, on third-and-10, the Pirates ran a draw for Ray Holley to get it to the 36-yard line and then converted on the fourth-and-five on a pass to Kyle Burdett.On the last play of the game, six-seconds left, Manning's pass was deflected and the Pirates lose, 42-38.
EDIT
Complete stats can be found here.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Ray Holley has the record!
After the Pirates scored on a seven-yard touchdown from Holley (that put the Pirates up 38-35 with less than nine minutes left in the game), he got the carry on the next Coast offensive possession and got the record on a 15-yard toss.
Prior to his touchdown, Coast's Brandon Estrada put the Pirates in great field position with a 26-yard end around (or reverse) run. Congratulations "Smalley Holley."
[Photo by Kevin Warn]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Ray Holley is so close to the record.Holley led the Pirates with a 30- and 21-yard runs and scored on a two-yard run to give OCC a 31-28 lead.Holley needed 253 yards to break the record set by Jeff Clayton in 1993 (1,442 yards in a season).But the Vikings were once again quick to counter. Genesis Fonoimoana, who scored earlier on an interception, returned the kickoff for a 88-yard touchdown to give the Vikings a 35-31 lead with 12:44 left.
First and 10 on the 34 yard line with 12:24 left in the game.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Vikings did not wait long to answer back Ray Holley's touchdown.Long Beach traveled down 78 yards on eight plays to score on Ruben Laurente's one-yard run and take a 28-24 lead (pictured).After both teams exchanged possessions with punts, the Pirates now have the ball on the Vikings 45 yard line at the end of the third quarter.Holley also has 184 yards - 68 more yards for the school record.LBCC 28, OCC 24.
[Photo courtesy of JohnoMoto Photography]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Ray Holley needs only 100 more yards to break the OCC rushing record.On the first drive of the second half Holley scored on a 13-yard TD run; he also had runs of 10 and 15 in that drive.The score is now 24-21, advantage OCC, with 11:46 left in the third quarter.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Vikings weren't down for long, despite having less than two minutes left in the half.Quarterback Kevin Lubner (pictured), with 20 seconds left in the half, throws a perfect fade pass to wide receiver Darrius Young for a 32-yard touchdown.However, Coast coaches talked to the referees after the play for what I can only assume as the coach's asking why an offensive pass interference wasn't called.Score is 21-17 at the half, in favor of Long Beach CC.[Photo courtesy of JohnoMoto Photography]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Pirates stopped the Vikings and forced another three-and-out.
Coast's Joe Galvez, who muffed his last punt return, had a much better returned on his second try and returned it for 18 yards.
Ray Holley (pictured) was once again Coast's main offensive weapon as he got the Pirates' first 20 yards, 10 from a reception. However, Coast failed to get it field goal range and was forced to punt.
Pirates defense forced another three-and-out and Bryce Brantley added a sack, but Galvez muffed his second punt of the night.On the Viking's second offensive life, the Pirates forced a fumble on the very next play.
Coast capitalized off that turnover and scored. Holley also added a 33-,10 and 9-yard run in that drive and has 105 yards in the game. The nine-yard run was for a touchdown with 1:52 left in the half.
Holley need 147 yards for the school record.
14-7 Coast.
[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Vikings take a 14-3 lead after a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown by Genesis Fonoimoana, but he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for "crip walking" after his TD.But Kyle Manning quickly answered back with a 26-yard completion to wide receiver Kyle Burdett to put behind the interception.Ray Holley added 30 yards to this drive and scored on a one-yard run with 12:53 left in the second quarter.Holley now has 36 yards on 11 carries with one TD. He needs 216 more yards to break the school's all-time rushing record.[Photo courtesy of Getty Images]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Pirates stopped Long Beach with a three and out but Joe Galvez muffed he punt and gave the ball back to the Vikings at the 30-yard line.Long Beach's Daveon Barner eventually scored on a one-yard run with 4:48 left in the first quarter. David Covey's extra point attempt was good.Score is 7-3, advantage Vikings.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Long Beach stated the game with a 21-yard run by Daveon Barner but failed to get into field goal range in the Pirates 49.The Pirates went three and out after Calvin Brister dropped a perfectly thrown pass from quarterback Kyle Manning, but recovered the ball on the 29-yard line after the Vikings muffed the punt.After three runs from Ray Holley for six yards and no pass completions, the Pirates put up three with a 40-yard Lucas Vandeman (pictured) field goal.Score, 3-0 Pirates, with 9:40 left in the first quarter.[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Orange Coast College's sophomore running back Ray Holley needs 252 yards to break the school single-season rushing record of 1,442 yards set by Jeff Clayton in 1993.
Holley averages 132.3 yards per game but has been held below 100 yards per game in the last three contests. He is still ranked No. 3 in the state.
During the game, there will be constant updates on Holley's progress, under "Holley Watch."[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, November 14, 2009
This is a copy of a report from the Daily Pilot's Barry FaulknerKey Pirates: - Sophomore running back Ray Holley (1,191 yards and 13 TDs on 269 rushing attempts)
- Sophomore outside linebacker Jimmy Keating (56 tackles, 11 for losses)
- Freshman outside linebacker Travis McNaughton (47 tackles)
- Sophomore free safety Keahi Raikes (three interceptions)
Breakdown:
- The Pirates (5-4, 1-4 in the National Division), ranked No. 14 in Southern California, end their regular season against the Vikings (2-7, 1-4).
- Holley needs 252 yards to break the school single-season rushing record of 1,442 yards set by Jeff Clayton in 1993 ... Holley ranks No. 3 in the state in rushing yards per game (132.3).
- OCC’s defense is No. 4 in the state in rushing yards allowed per game (68.4).
- The Pirates’ rank No. 70 among 71 schools in passing rating and have completed just 36.5% of their passes. OCC quarterbacks have four TD passes and 16 interceptions.
- Both teams’ lone division win was against Santa Ana Collge.
- LBCC has allowed 40.8 points per game.
By
Tony Lee
On
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
This week's top headline of the Coast Report's sports page is the men's water polo team making the playoffs. The Pirates will face Santa Ana Friday (Nov. 6) at Fullerton College.Also, the Pirates of the Week are Russel Westphal and Jane Kerner from the OCC cross country team.The football team lost its second-straight National Division game and the Pirates' bowl game hopes seems to be unattainable. In pages four and five of the Coast Report, "Sports stretched with fewer games and assistant coaches" talks about how the statewide budget cuts have affected OCC's sports program.
Sports column "It's Me, Tony Lee" is only available to view on the OCC Sports Blog this week.
All the articles are available on www.coastreportonline.com.
By
Tony Lee
On
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Christmas came early for Saddleback College as the Orange Coast College football team turned the ball over five times in the first half en route to a 52-14 blowout at the LeBard Stadium on Halloween night.“That obviously gets you off on the wrong foot against a good football team and we really never recovered,” OCC head coach Mike Taylor said of Coast (5-3, 1-3 in the National Division) starting the game trailing 31-0, 28 of those coming off a Coast turnover.On top of the turnovers, Saddleback (7-2, 3-2) contained Ray Holley, the No. 2 running back in the state, as he averaged less than three-yards per carry in the first half and finished with 96 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns.“For the most part, (teams) are stacking the box because it’s the way to go,” Holley said. “The teams that are doing it and doing it well are stopping us.”Holley now has 1,144 yards this season and is OCC’s No. 5 all-time rusher. According to OCC’s Sports Information Director Tony Altobelli, Holley is 11 yards behind Tony Accomondo’s mark set in 1975 and 298 behind Jeff Clayton’s all-time total of 1,442 yards, set in 1993.However, Coast quarterback Kyle Manning, who completed nine-of-15 passes for 155 yards in the first half, gave a spark to a struggling Pirates’ passing game that averaged only 128.2 yards per game this season.Manning finished the game completing 19-of-50 passes for 231 yards but was one pass attempt shy of holding OCC’s record of number of pass attempts in a game, set by Alvin White in 1972 against Mt. San Antonio College, by himself.He would’ve had the record to himself but on his last pass attempt, Manning was sacked — one of his five sacks on the night. He was also on the opposing end of Saddleback’s three roughing the passer penalties.“I’ll be a little sore tomorrow but it’s football,” Manning said. “But like I said, when we looked good today, we looked good.”Coast’s last home game is Saturday against Palomar College at 1 p.m. The Pirates finish off its season Nov. 14 at Long Beach City College, starting at 6 p.m.“Now the potentials gone way down,” Holley said of the team having a bowl game opportunity. “We have two more games and we have to win them both and that doesn’t guarantee us a third game. It hurts, it sucks but we got to move on and keep our heads up.”
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saddleback's Aziz Spellman-Smith scores on a 23-yard wide receiver crossing run to make the score 52-14.Coast's Lano Fuentes returned the kickoff to the 48-yard line but was tackled by Saddleback's kicker Michael Frisina.With 10:40 left in the game, Pirates need to score 38 points to tie the game.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Last time Orange Coast College Kyle Manning started at LeBard Stadium, he was replaced by his backup Ethan Whitsell after throwing two interceptions on 1-of-6 completions.On Halloween night, Manning is not watching from the sidelines and instead leading the Pirates' comeback charge.In the opening driver, Manning guided Coast to a 6:50, 13 play, 69 yards drive that was capped by another one-yard Ray Holley touchdown.Score is 38-14 in favor of Saddleback.[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saddleback - Cameron Chadwick four-yard run (Michael Frisina kick), 7-0Saddleback - Frisina 26-yard field goal, 10-0Saddleback - Marc Moody 29-yard pass from Brad Curtis (Frisina kick), 17,0Saddleback - Chadwick four-yard run (Frisina kick), 24,0Saddleback - Jeremy Rodenburg 62-yard interception return (Frisina kick), 31-0Orange Coast - Ray Holley one-yard run (Lucas Vandeman kick), 31-7Saddleback - Tre Villahermosa 13-yard pass from Curtis (Frisina kick), 38-7
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Orange Coast College football team has fumbled the ball four times, gave up 179 total offensive yards, star running back Ray Holley is averaging less than three yards a carry and the lone interception was returned for a 62-yard touchdown.
This has led to a nice gift for the Saddleback College Gauchos as they are up 38-7 on Halloween night.
On a bright note, Coast's Kyle Manning is throwing the ball well (9-of-15 for 155 yards).
Pirates will have the ball to start the second half.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Orange Coast College's football team (5-2, 1-2 in the National Division) will host Saddleback College (6-2, 2-2) at LeBard Stadium on Halloween night at 7 p.m.Both teams lost last week: the Pirates to Grossmont College 43-12 and the Gauchos to Fullerton College 22-13.The No. 12 ranked Pirates are led by running back Ray Holley (pictured) on offense (1,048 yards, 11 TDs rushing) and by linebacker Jimmy Keating on defense (49 tackles, nine for loss).Coast's run defense is ranked No. 2 in the state with a 42.1 yards per game allowed average.However, the passing defense last week was torched for 416 yards.
Another weakness of the Pirates is its passing game. Coast quarterbacks have completed only 36.8 percent of their passes with 13 interceptions to three touchdown passes.
Saddleback, ranked No. 11 in SoCal and No. 17 in the state, is led by running back Jai Morris (pictured) with his 110.1 all-purpose yards per game average on offense.
Morris, quarterback David Ingram (157.9 passing yards per game) and wide receiver T.J. Knowles (73.9 yards per game) led a potent Saddleback offense that averages 35.6 points per game.
This game will be covered live on the OCC Sports Blog and Twitterstarting at 7 p.m. today (Oct. 31).
Also, you can view the blog on your smartphone by typing in http://mippin.com/occsports. [Photo of Holley courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout, photo of Morris courtesy of JCGridiron.com]
“It feels great,” Holley said. “I worked for it, everyone else worked for it and they helped me get there. It was a great group of guys we played with and it was fun. I just wish that it would last another week.”
