Prep football: Battle for the Bell

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT BEACH - Proof of the year-round ramifications of the annual

football Battle for the Bell between Costa Mesa High and cross-town and

Pacific Coast League rival Estancia, could be heard on the Estancia

practice field last winter.

The Eagles, who avenged a 52-0 loss in 1998 with a 34-14 upset triumph over the Mustangs last fall, ended their sixth-period football class with

the team chant “34-14,” seemingly promoting some carry-over from what

Coach Dave Perkins believes is their best game in his 27-contest tenure.

“It’s a big pride deal with the kids,” said Perkins, who admits this

year’s meeting, Friday at 7 p.m. at Newport Harbor High, also holds grand

importance in the PCL standings.

“Both teams have been pointing toward this game, because of the league

connotations,” Perkins said. “The winner has the inside track to a (CIF

Southern Section Division IX) playoff spot.”

A win would mean no less than sole possession of third place and

retain hopes of catching league co-leaders Corona del Mar and University.

The Mustangs (5-2, 1-1 in league) are ranked No. 8 in CIF Division IX,

but it’s unranked Estancia (4-3, 1-1) which enters as the favorite.

“We’ve looked at it, analyzed it, and watched (Estancia) play,” Mesa

Coach Jerry Howell said. “And if we play a perfect game with no mistakes,

we have a real good shot at winning. Both teams are physical and it

should be a tough game. If (the Eagles) have an advantage, it’s that they

are more effective play-action passing. The challenge for us will be not

to throw more, but to throw more effectively.”

Estancia senior quarterback Kenny Valbuena, under the tutelage of

former Mesa standout Bill Lux, a first-year Eagle assistant, has

completed 52 of 94 (55%) for 889 yards and six touchdowns, with only one

interception.

Meanwhile, Mesa passers have thrown 10 interceptions while compiling

517 aerial yards and five TDs, completing 52 of 103.

Both offenses have had success on the ground. Mesa averages 248

rushing yards to the Eagles’ 218.

But, while Mesa has outscored Estancia, 210-182 this fall, the Eagles

have a better average in two league games, 31-12.

“We’ve been moving the ball,” Perkins said. “Our problem has been

stopping people.”

Estancia has allowed 78 points to league foes Northwood and

University, while Mesa has surrendered 51 to CdM and Laguna Beach.

Both coaches also say mistakes could figure into the outcome Friday.

“Both teams are making a lot of mistakes,” said Perkins, whose squad

has a minus-five turnover ratio.

“The two teams are a little hard to measure, because we’ve both looked

good at times, and we’ve both fallen on our faces,” said Howell, whose

team is minus-six in turnovers, including 12 giveaways in its two losses.

Both teams have featured more than one ballcarrier.

Estancia’s leading rusher is senior fullback Fahad Jahid (620 yards

and four TDs on 105 carries), while senior Andy Romo has collected 599

yards and six TDs on 86 carries. Romo, who has battled nagging leg

injuries in recent weeks, is feeling much better, Perkins reports. Romo

is also the Eagles’ leading receiver with 21 catches for 236 yards and

two TDs, and has also returned a kickoff for a TD. Perkins said he will

add time in the secondary to his offensive chores.

Junior Freddy Rodriguez has also emerged as a running threat for

Estancia. He has 155 yards and two TDs on 13 carries in league.

Senior tight end David Stoddard is another of Valbuena’s favorite

targets. He is averaging nearly 18 yards on his 16 catches, including two

TDs.

Mesa sophomore Keola Asuega leads Mustang rushers with 580 yards and

nine TDs on 106 attempts. But, still suffering from what Howell called a

deep nerve bruise in his foot, his status is in doubt.

Senior Alvin Nguyen stepped in at tailback last week (33 carries for

139 yards) and now has 489 yards and eight TDs on 66 attempts (a 7.4-yard

average) this season.

Senior Lenny Lukela (18 catches for 217 yards) and junior Nick Cabico

(10 for 122) are senior quarterback Patrick Hulliger’s favorite targets.

The battle of the trenches will include veteran standouts on both

sides.

Mesa senior Antony Grubisich, a first-team All-PCL and

All-Newport-Mesa District defensive lineman last year, will start at

guard and inside linebacker.

Estancia senior Cesar Romero will start at guard and defensive end,

while first-team all-league and all-district defensive end David

Rodriguez will also pose problems for Mesa.

Mesa’s offensive line also includes All-CIF returner Luther Mitchell.

Estancia leads the series, 19-13-1, but Mesa has won three of the last

four and five of the last seven.