Costa Mesa Wins, Finishes Alone in First for First Time

COSTA MESA — Binh Tran rushed for 204 yards in 32 carries as visiting Costa Mesa won its first outright league football title in school history with a 35-7 victory over Estancia Friday night at Orange Coast College.

The Mustangs (6-2-2, 4-0-1) won their first Pacific Coast League football championship and gained a share of a league title for the first time since 1978.

“I told our kids that their whole future in life depended on this game,” Costa Mesa Coach Myron Miller said with a laugh.

Tran capped a 15-play, 73-yard drive with a three-yard scoring run on the Mustangs’ first possession.

He also scored from three and 52 yards in the second half to give Costa Mesa a lift going into the Division VIII playoffs; the Mustangs will play host to a first-round game at Newport Harbor High next weekend.

“This gives us a little momentum,” Miller said.

Dewayne Crenshaw, who finished with 53 yards rushing, scored the Mustangs’ second touchdown, diving two yards in the second quarter.

Costa Mesa held a 14-0 edge at halftime, bolstered by a defensive effort that held Estancia to 32 yards in two quarters.

Tran’s two scores stretched the Mustangs lead to 28-0 with five minutes 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Joey Archeletta scored on a two-yard run up the middle to expand the lead to 35-0 with 5:07 left in the game.