Measuring stick

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Costa Mesa High football coach Jerry Howell wants,

more than anything else, a level-headed effort from his Mustangs when

they host Brethren Christian in a 7 p.m. nonleague game Friday at Orange

Coast College.

“The test for us is, whether we’re going to play to their level or play

at our level,” said Howell, who estimates his team’s level is a notch or

two above that of the Olympic League representative.

“I’d say (the Warriors) are about two or three touchdowns better than

Bolsa Grande and about a TD or two down from Westminster,” Howell said.

Mesa, ranked No. 5 in CIF Southern Section Division IX, trounced Bolsa,

47-0, in Week 2, then got past Westminster, 16-6, for their third win,

before falling to Western in a 35-34 track meet last week.

Brethren (2-2 after a 55-25 rout of Maranatha last week) is a

two-touchdown underdog. But that didn’t dissuade Anaheim, winless in its

previous 24 games, from stunning Mesa’s cross-town rival Estancia last

week.

It’s a lesson Howell will call upon as the Mustangs prepare for their

final Pacific Coast League tuneup.

“We don’t want to get caught in the same trap Estancia did,” Howell said.

“We can’t worry about how good Brethren Christian is, we have to worry

about working hard to become a better football team when we face Estancia

(to open league Oct. 15.).”

Howell had praise for Brethren’s skill-position talent, but noted the

Mustangs hold a severe advantage in size and strength up front.

“Their linemen are not overwhelming and that’s where we may catch up to

them,” Howell said.

Offensively, Mesa linemen Eric Connaty, Eliseo Martinez, Scott Schepens,

Luther Mitchell, Bobby Dandy and Charlie Amburgey are used to getting

their way. Their hard work has helped junior tailback C.J. Zuniga amass

644 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 104 carries this fall.

Senior Dave Weir has also provided an element of balance, triggering the

Mustangs’ passing attack by completing 22 of 37 for 332 yards and four

TDs.

Senior tight end Willy Franco is the leading receiver with nine catches

for 141 yards and one TD.

Mesa’s defense, keyed by inside linebackers Jason Rankin and Shaun

Ferryman, as well as end Todd Duddridge and tackle Antony Grubisich, will

be looking to resume its dominance after Western rolled up 459 yards of

offense last week.