Freshman football: Costa Mesa runs to a league title

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - With a chance to win its first Pacific Coast League

championship in five years, the Costa Mesa freshman football team ran to

claim the title, literally.

The Mustangs rushed for 294 yards and four touchdowns in the first

half en route to a 33-14 victory over visiting Northwood, Thursday. The

Mustangs (8-2, 4-1 in league) share the title with University, which

handed them their only PCL defeat.

The running back tandem of Omar Ruiz and Geraldo Villa did most of the

damage in a game that also featured no penalties from either team. Ruiz

ran for 221 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. And Villa’s change of

pace resulted in 139 yards in just six carries. Villa scored Mesa’s first

three touchdowns for a 20-0 lead with under five minutes remaining in the

first half.

As time ran out, players snuck up on Mesa Coach John Carney and doused

him with water in celebration of their championship.

“The kids believed in themselves and in the coaching staff,” Carney

said. “After our first loss, the kids bought into what the coaches were

trying to stress: playing as a team and being a family. They certainly

came together against Northwood.”

The Mustangs scored on their first six possessions and stuffed

Northwood on defense as Mesa turned back the Timberwolves on three

fourth-down attempts. Northwood also punted twice, one for 6 yards early

in the third quarter.

Mesa took advantage with an eight-play, 47-yard scoring drive with

Ruiz ending it on an 18-yard touchdown. Ruiz, who broke the school’s

freshman single-game rushing record against University, finished the

season with 1,609 yards and 18 touchdowns on 168 carries. Against

University, he broke Jimmy Herzog’s freshman record of 318 yards on 41

carries. Ruiz ran for 331 yards on 33 carries. He also scored four

touchdowns and two two-point conversions.

“It’s exciting to see the kinds of kids we’re having play at Mesa,”

Carney said. “The outstanding group this year really loves football and

they are talented players who play with intensity. We had to do some fun

activities during the week because they just couldn’t wait for Thursday.”

Against Northwood, Villa scored on runs of 18, 20 and 68. His 20-yard

touchdown came after he scooped up a fumble.

Ruiz’s scored on a 79-yard run with 44 seconds remaining before

halftime.

Both Ruiz and Villa were quick to credit their offensive line after

the game. Villa said he wouldn’t have done anything if it wasn’t for the

heroics of the blockers up front.

Mesa’s offensive line includes Gary Hernandez, Zenri Kato, David

Vernotico, Andrew MacIntosh, Brett Via, Eric Reyes, Jarrod Clever and

Andrew Miller.

After the game, the linemen, along with the rest of the Mustangs,

formed a huddle in the shape of a C to represent “champions”. After every

victory this season, Mesa has huddled in a V-shape as players share jokes

and shake hands with assistant coaches, George Greenwalt, Brad Gray and

Kirk Bauermeister.