Prep football: Bravehearts (Costa Mesa O-Line) -- Muscle on the

move

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - In track and field circles, it is referred to as the

big man relay, a 400- or 1,600-meter charade, reserved for lopsided dual

meets, in which dumpy discus throwers and stout shot putters trade their

hardware for a relay baton.

But, while they cover even more ground during their game-long rumbles

around the corner as lead blockers, the only thing Costa Mesa High

offensive linemen carry is a load.

“When we first started, there was some resistance to our offense,”

first-year Mesa football coach Dave Perkins said of the hybrid wing T and

fly that requires two or more lineman to extend their path outside of the

tackles on perimeter running plays.

“Some guys didn’t want to be running all the time. But we worked on

them all summer and convinced them to buy into it and they’ve done that.”

The initial dividends, which Perkins believes are possible all season,

came Friday, when the Mustangs’ front wall paved a path that covered 337

rushing yards in a 39-13 nonleague triumph over Saddleback.

With starting guards Robert McQueen (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) and Andrew

Carich (5-10, 275), tackles Paul Martin (6-2, 280) and Zenri Kato (6-1,

250), as well as starting center Brett Via (5-10, 200), the Mesa people

movers frequently made road kill of the Roadrunners.

Perkins credits the group’s success, particularly Carich and McQueen

who pull most frequently, to a commitment to conditioning.

“I’m not tired at all,” McQueen said after the opening win. “We

condition a lot.”

Said Perkins, “They’ve worked very hard, because they realize the

importance they have. Robert and Andrew are the leaders.”

Perkins helped keep his hogs fresh by substituting liberally, allowing

guards Bobby Arroyo and Alan Rayner, as well as center Jesse Franco, to

also get into the act.

Tight end John Garcia also deserves credit for creating holes, which

helped backs Keola Asuega and Nick Cabico each surpass the 100-yard

plateau.

The trench warriors also protected quarterback A.J. Perkins, who threw

for 93 yards and three TDs

“Those guys have my back,” A.J. Perkins said.