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.”