Prep football Bravehearts: Costa Mesa secondary

Barry Faulkner

After surrendering 287 passing yards and three touchdowns in an

unexpected nonleague loss to Westminster High in Week 2, Costa Mesa

football coach Dave Perkins decided it was time for some safety

precautions.

So, after some discussion, Perkins and defensive coordinator Bob

Brockie decided to scrap the double flex scheme that featured one safety

and left both cornerbacks in man-to-man coverage, for a more traditional

four-three, with two safeties to patrol the middle of the field.

The results have been impressive.

After giving up an average of 190 aerial yards their first two games,

the Mustangs have yielded just 80 yards per contest through the air the

last seven. In the last three league games, that number has dipped to a

minuscule 44 yards per contest and the Mustangs have boosted their season

interception total to 16.

Senior safeties Nick Cabico and Freddy Rodriguez, cornerbacks Luis

Gonzalez and Tim Iller, as well as a consistent pass rush that produced

three sacks, helped limit Corona del Mar to just 43 passing yards. CdM

completed only 5 of 16 attempts as Mesa won, 17-0, to wrap up one of the

Pacific Coast League’s three guaranteed CIF Southern Section Division IX

playoff berths.

Rodriguez, who started as a sophomore and junior as Estancia’s free

safety, made a leaping interception of an attempted flea-flicker against

the Sea Kings. It was his fifth interception of the season, tying him

with Cabico for team-high honors.

Cabico, whom Perkins terms the strong safety, returned a fumble 62

yards and continues to be a defensive force against the run and pass,

since shifting over from corner in the previous alignment.

“The key is having two really experienced guys playing safety,”

Perkins said. “Nick is more of an alley player, who, when teams run the

football, can read very well and fill quickly. He helps us defend the

off-tackle play, as well as the short sweep.”

Perkins said Rodriguez is more of the center fielder.

“Freddy is very good over the top of everything,” Perkins said.

Iller, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound junior, has also solidified the unit,

since being inserted into the lineup after the league campaign began.

“He was a backup quarterback who also played a little outside

linebacker,” Perkins recalled. “But when we went to the new scheme, we

needed another corner and he has really accepted the challenge. He is

also very good on run support and has made a couple big hits the last two

games.”

Gonzalez, a 5-7, 125-pound sophomore, has started all year at the

other corner, where his cover skills help Perkins worry less about big

plays.

“I’m very comfortable with those two guys,” Perkins said. “It’s hard

to beat our corners deep.”

Perkins also said junior Tyler Waldron deserves some credit for making

things work in the secondary. Waldron occasionally spells Cabico, who is

also is a key weapon in the Mustangs’ running game at wingback.

Waldron recovered a fumble at the CdM 4-yard line Friday, which led to

the second Mesa touchdown early in the second quarter.