Los Amigos’ Fumbles Give Costa Mesa 29-12 Victory

NEWPORT BEACH —  Costa Mesa High School’s football team couldn’t get a break last week, giving up four special teams touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to Rancho Alamitos.

But the Mustangs seemed to get a break every time their defense took the field Thursday night against Los Amigos.

Costa Mesa recovered six Los Amigos fumbles, including two that set up touchdowns, in a 29-12 nonleague victory at Newport Harbor.

The Mustangs (2-1) held Los Amigos (0-3) to 20 yards total offense in the second half after giving up 150 yards in the first half.

“I don’t know what we were doing defensively in the first half,” Costa Mesa Coach Tom Baldwin said. “But Los Amigos did practically nothing in the second half.

“Those fumbles were all big hits, too. It’s not like they were just dropping the ball. They were stinging people out there.”

Linebacker Mike Cota and defensive tackle Ryan Park did most of the damage. Cota had two sacks and forced two fumbles, while Park had a sack and constantly pressured Los Amigos quarterback Joey Portillo, who got off only three passes.

Costa Mesa running back Fernando Ospina turned in his second 100-yard rushing game this season, running for 103 yards in 18 carries, including an 18-yard touchdown run with 1 minute 20 seconds left in the game.

Johnny Ospina had only 20 yards in eight carries and a touchdown, but he also had four receptions for 53 yards.

Los Amigos out-rushed Costa Mesa, 139 yards to 19 in the first half, but the Mustangs held a 13-12 halftime lead on touchdown passes of 11 and seven yards from Matt Harber to wide receiver Mike Meyer.

“Matt didn’t throw an interception and he’s really starting to come along,” Baldwin said. “He had a fine game.”

Johnny Ospina’s touchdown run and Meyer’s 11-yard touchdown catch were set up by fumble recoveries by Bryan Luxembourger and Adam Hernandez, respectively.