Mesa football welcomes talented transfer
Barry Faulkner
COSTA MESA - A little unseasonable morning humidity wasn’t the only
surprise awaiting the Costa Mesa High football team as it opened practice
Monday.
The Mustangs and Coach Jerry Howell also welcomed C.J. Zuniga, a
talented transfer from Prescott, Ariz.
“He impressed the heck out of us,” Howell said of the 5-foot-11,
190-pound running back and linebacker who was a varsity starter as a
sophomore last fall. “He’s a real physical kid, who is also real smooth
and he catches the ball. He’ll help us on at least one side of the ball.”
Zuniga, who registered at Mesa Friday, was joined by 62 new teammates
as the three-day conditioning period kicked off for Newport-Mesa District
high schools.
“I think it was an exceptionally good first day,” said Howell,
entering his fifth season at the school.
“The humidity was up today and that bothered the kids a little and
these three days of conditioning is always a tough time. I think the only
purpose they serve is to keep someone at the CIF (Southern Section)
office from getting sued, because all you can do is hurt kids if you try
to condition them in three days.”
Howell said seven-on-seven passing drills provide the opportunity for
his receivers, quarterbacks and defensive backs to hone the timing they
sharpened in spring and summer practice. The linemen, however, won’t
benefit much from practice until full gear is donned Thursday.
“It’s tough for the linemen, because all they can do is walk through
things,” Howell said.
Howell is encouraged, however, and issued a challenge to his players
as they continue to prepare for the Sept. 10 season opener against
Saddleback at Orange Coast College.
“If our kids will have a winning mental outlook, be on time, work hard
and be willing to learn, we could have a pretty good football team.”
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