Mesa seeks breakthrough

The announcement two weeks ago that Laguna Beach High would forfeit

its 2004 football victory over Costa Mesa did little to satisfy the

Mustangs’ apparent thirst for revenge.

“Our kids have been talking about Laguna Beach the last couple of

weeks,” first-year Mustangs Coach Jay Johnson said.

The Mustangs will get the chance to square things on the field

Friday at 7 p.m., when they visit Laguna Beach for their final

preleague game.

Costa Mesa is also hoping to satisfy its desire for its first

victory this season, having been trounced by solid foes Brea Olinda,

Corona del Mar and Huntington Beach.

“We’re looking forward to playing someone such as Laguna Beach,”

Johnson said.

The Breakers (2-0-1) have played a significantly less-challenging

schedule thus far. They defeated Centennial of Compton and La Quinta,

before having to rally to tie Ocean View, 14-14, last week. They have

outscored their opponents, 88-46.

Johnson said the Breakers’ propensity for trick plays will require

a disciplined approach by his defense.

But Johnson believes if the Mustangs can avoid making critical

mistakes, their physical advantage could put them over the top.

“I definitely believe we’re the more physical team,” Johnson said.

The Mustangs have generally beaten up on their neighbors to the

south, who will join them in the new Orange Coast League beginning

next fall.

Including the forfeit, which negated a 10-9 Laguna Beach triumph,

Costa Mesa has won 14 of the last 15 meetings and leads the series,

18-6.

The Mustangs are hopeful of building off a strong final 22 minutes

against Huntington Beach. After falling behind, 27-0, Mesa outscored

the Oilers, 14-10, including the team’s only two offensive touchdowns

of the season.

The second of those TDs was the result of a 20-play, 71-yard drive

that consumed nearly 9 1/2 minutes.

Senior Tony Krikorian, filling in for senior Ryan French at

quarterback, keyed the Mustangs’ offensive success last week. He will

likely continue in that role, allowing French (out the last two games

with a separated shoulder) to fully heal.

French, however, may see action this week, if he is cleared to

play, Johnson said.

Laguna Beach is led offensively by sophomore quarterback Charlie

Bowman. Bowman has rushed for 185 yards and four TDs and thrown for

315 yards and two TDs. He has completed 26 of 55 with three

interceptions.

Three Mesa quarterbacks have combined to complete 12 of 49 for 139 yards, with six interceptions.

The Mustangs, who also lost senior tailback Tyler Legg in Week 2,

have 219 rushing yards as a team this season.

*--*

OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

27 Tony Krikorian 5-9 150 Sr. QB

40 Cody De La Mater 5-9 192 So. TB

7 Cody Waldron 6-1 175 Jr. WR 28 Josh Lowe 6-1 170 Jr. WR 3 Kirkland Huynh 5-7 151 Jr. SR

33 Richard Huk 5-7 185 Sr. SR

64 Ryan Segovia 6-0 270 Sr. LT

55 London Sapolu 6-1 225 Jr. LG 61 R. Soomalelogi 5-11 240 Sr. C

67 Robert De La Cruz 5-10 255 Sr. RG 74 Juan Diaz 6-1 300 Sr. RT *--*

*--*

DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

61 R. Soomalelogi 5-11 240 Sr. DE 74 Juan Diaz 6-1 300 Sr. DT 63 Rudy Hernandez 5-10 240 Jr. DT 84 Giovanni Porcayo 5-10 213 Sr. DE 40 Cody De La Mater 5-9 192 So. LB

67 Robert De La Cruz 5-10 255 Sr. LB 55 London Sapolu 6-1 225 Jr. LB 24 Mitch Caldwell 6-1 175 Sr. CB 27 Tony Krikorian 5-9 150 Sr. CB

7 Cody Waldron 6-1 175 Jr. SS 28 Josh Lowe 6-1 170 Jr. FS *--*