Freshman football: Mesa runs over Estancia

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - With a commanding 32-6 victory over rival Estancia

High, the visiting Costa Mesa freshman football team showed that it has

come a long way from its first game of the season.

The Mustangs have now reeled off seven straight victories since their

first loss of the season.

“We improved 100 percent from our first game,” Mesa Coach John Carney

said. “Our intensity has risen. And the kids are having fun.”

Victory No. 7 for Mesa came courtesy of Omar Ruiz, who rushed for

three touchdowns and 226 yards in just nine carries. The Mustangs’

running back created highlights scoring on touchdown runs of 85, 63 and

20 yards.

Early in the second quarter, Ruiz broke from the pack on a

misdirection handoff and turned on extra speed for his 85-yard touchdown

run. As he ran along the Eagles’ sideline toward the end zone, Ruiz

tightly closed his eyes and held his breath as he was determined to

increase his team’s lead to 14-0.

“I was just hoping no one would catch up to me and get me down,” said

Ruiz, who was inspired by the Mesa-Estancia rivalry. “I heard (Estancia)

saying they were going to run me over today. But, I was the one who ran

them over.”

Mesa (7-1) built its lead to 20-0 with three seconds remaining in the

half. After the Mustangs’ Luis Gonzalez recovered an Estancia fumble,

Mesa quarterback Brian Knox went to work on the ensuing play. With single

coverage on receiver Geraldo Villa, Knox lofted a deep pass in Villa’s

direction. Villa made the reception and went the distance for an 83-yard

touchdown.

The Eagles (1-7), however, would not give up easily. Estancia’s Nick

Koreerat returned the second-half opening kickoff for an 81-yard

touchdown. Then, Estancia recovered a fumble on Mesa’s first offensive

possession.

“I was really proud that they didn’t quit,” Estancia Coach Nick Romo

said. “I liked our intensity in the second half. But it’s always tough to

lose to your rival.”

The Eagles failed to capitalize on Mesa’s turnover. They gave up the

ball on downs after a pass fell incomplete. The Mustangs and Ruiz took

over from their own 37 and Ruiz struck again for a long score, this one

coming from 63 yards out.

The Eagles faltered against Mesa because of turnovers. The Mustangs

scored three touchdowns after Estancia turnovers. In the fourth quarter,

after Gary Gonzalez intercepted a pass which was tipped by Andy Miller

and took it to Estancia’s 4-yard line, Luis Aragon ran it in for a

touchdown on the next play for Mesa’s final score.