Prep football: Bravehearts, Costa Mesa defensive line: Little green

men

For one night at least, the Costa Mesa High defensive line gave new

meaning to the term neutral zone.

There was, in fact, nothing neutral about the domination delivered by

the Mustangs’ little green-jerseyed men, who sent the Timberwolves

howling into the offseason with painful memories extending well beyond

the 57-7 final score.

Ends Daniel Hunter and Jason Hurley, tackles Charlie Amburgey and

Danny Mardikian, as well as linebacker Antony Grubisich, who spent most

of his time in a down position, thoroughly tamed the T-wolves’ offense.

Northwood managed minus 13 yards on the ground, including six

quarterback sacks, and finished with a paltry 88 yards of total offense

in the finale to the school’s first varsity season.

Timberwolves tailback Andy Meyer, who came in averaging nearly 143

yards per game against four previous Pacific Coast League opponents,

settled for 24 yards on 14 attempts.

With Mesa’s front wall leading the charge, 14 of Northwood’s 26

rushing attempts (including sacks), resulted in negative yardage. Three

more netted no gain and three more produced no more than 1 yard.

Only one running play, a 16-yard Meyer carry, resulted in more than 9

yards. Only three produced gains of more than 3.

“They played well,” said Mesa Coach Jerry Howell, who, unfortunately,

will lose four of the five to graduation.

Hunter, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior, collected two sacks, while

Amburgey, a 6-1, 245-pound senior, and Jason Hurley, a 5-8, 180-pound

sophomore, shared another.

Mardikian (5-7, 237) and Grubisich (5-10, 245) each had tackles for

3-yard losses to help the Mustangs finish the season on a positive note.

“Mardikian is a real hustler and Hurley is a very tough kid for a

sophomore,” Howell said.

“Hunter is one of those kids who just works so hard and does a lot of

little things right to succeed and Charlie is a real role player, who is

very coachable.”

-- by Barry Faulkner