Prep football: Welcome mat out

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT BEACH - The Costa Mesa High football team looks forward to

playing polite host to Centennial High of Canada, when the two meet

Friday at 7 p.m. in a nonleague clash at Newport Harbor High.

But the Mustangs (1-1) are hoping the Centaurs (1-1) look back at

Thursday’s trip to Disneyland, or perhaps Saturday’s excursion to the

Rose Bowl to take in UCLA vs. Ohio State, as the highlights of their

Southern California adventure.

Coach Dave Perkins Mesa squad is hungry for a highlight of its own

after a surprising 22-16 setback Saturday at Westminster.

The Mustangs stumbled, specifically in the secondary, after galloping

to a 39-13 triumph over Saddleback in Week 1.

But Mesa figures to seize an opportunity to regain its stride against

the Canadian school, located in Coquitlam, British Columbia, a suburb of

Vancouver.

“Our kids are introduced to football late,” said Centenial Coach Kevin

Chin, who grew up in the province, but was forced to play his football

for “the community,” since his high school did not field a team. “We have

a lot of seniors, but we’re green in some places.”

The Centaurs went 7-3 last fall and advanced to the AAA provincial

quarterfinals (from a field of 18 AAA schools in British Columbia). But

Chin said they lost all their “league all-stars” to graduation.

Centennial, which opened with a 30-18 win over Carson Graham, but

fell, 23-22, Friday against North Delta, is also at less than full

strength.

“We have two starters (fullback and middle linebacker) who are injured

and won’t play,” said Chin, who also noted two starters would not be

making the trip after their parents decided against allowing them to

travel in the aftermath of last week’s terrorist attacks.

“I have about 39 kids on the team and we’re taking about 30,” Chin

said Monday.

Quarterback Chad Andersen, two-way tackle Chad Yalowsky (6-foot-4, 265

pounds) and and Steve Drescher, whom Chin termed a utility player, are

all senior returning starters for the Centaurs, who run the smashmouth

double wing offense.

The run-oriented scheme, figures to play right into the Mustangs’

strength, as the Mesa defense has allowed an average of 82.5 rushing

yards per game thus far.

Mesa stuffed Westminster for minus 29 yards on the ground last week,

but yielded 287 passing yards, the most the school has surrendered in its

last 94 games. Mesa opponents have thrown for 208.5 yards per contest in

2001.

Offensively, Mesa has averaged 354 yards per game, 80% of which has

come on the ground.

Junior tailback Keola Asuega (198 yards and three touchdowns on 25

carries), senior wingback Nick Cabico (168 yards and two TDs on 22

carries) and senior fullback Jesse Cardenas (149 yards on 21 carries)

have paced the Mesa running game.

Senior quarterback A.J. Perkins has thrown for 120 yards and three

TDs, completing 13 of 33 without an interception.

The Mustangs, however, will be without leading receiver Nathan Hunter

(seven catches for 79 yards), who fractured his ankle against

Westminster.

Tyler Waldron, who caught two passes for 15 yards last week, will step

in at receiver and Dave Perkins, who coordinates the Mustangs’ offense,

has vowed to get the ball to senior tight end John Garcia.

Chin said allowing big plays have been his the weak spot of his

defense.

The two schools exchanged videotape of one another, but the Mustangs

should have a huge advantage in the coaching department. Coach Perkins

boasts nine assistants, while Chin has only one.

Chin said the atmosphere Friday would also be something new for his

players.

“We don’t get the kind of crowds they do in Orange County,” Chin said.

“To be in a big stadium, with a crowd, cheerleaders and a marching band,

is something my kids are really looking forward to.”