Mustangs lose Zuniga

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - C.J. Zuniga, an All-CIF Southern Section Division IX

running back as a Costa Mesa High junior in 1999, will not compete for

the Mustangs’ football team this fall, due to academic ineligibility,

Coach Jerry Howell confirmed Tuesday.

Zuniga, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound tailback who transferred to Mesa from

Arizona just before fall practice last season, rushed for 2,015 yards and

scored 28 touchdowns.

He amassed 2,498 all-purpose yards and also had two interceptions in

limited defensive duty to help the Mustangs earn a share of the Pacific

Coast League championship, reach the playoffs for a school-record fourth

straight season, and finish 8-3.

In addition to All-CIF recognition, Zuniga was the Daily Pilot’s

Pacific Coast League MVP, the PCL coaches’ Offensive Player of the Year

and the Offensive Player of the Year on the All-Newport-Mesa District

Dream Team.

Howell, preparing to open fall practice Monday, said it was doubtful

Zuniga would enroll at the school.

It’s the second straight season the Mustangs have lost the services of

a decorated running back. Jimmy Herzog, All-CIF Division VI and the

Newport-Mesa District and PCL Offensive Player of the Year as a junior in

1998, transferred to Santa Margarita High for his senior season.