Bravehearts

Barry Faulkner

It’s tough to keep a secret in the world of high school football

and, after three weeks of the 2002 season, the scouting report

circulating about the Costa Mesa High secondary went something like

this:

“Undersized corners easier to burn than kindling.”

Much has changed in the last six weeks, however, as the three-man

unit has turned its reputation around. The improved play of junior

cornerbacks Luis Gonzalez and Al Rodriguez, as well as the steady

contributions of senior safety Tyler Waldron, has had a big hand in

the Mustangs’ current six-game winning streak.

The secondary was, once again, superb in Friday’s 36-7 victory

over Santa Ana, a win that wrapped up the Golden West League’s No. 1

playoff spot and at least a share of the league crown.

“These guys have improved tremendously,” said Mesa Coach Dave

Perkins, who credits first-year secondary coach D.J. Jett for much of

the group’s progress. “Everyone was picking on our 5-foot-8 corners

(Rodriguez is 5-7 and Gonzalez 5-9), and people got those game tapes,

so they’ve tried to do the same ever since. But it hasn’t been too

successful lately.”

The numbers back up Perkins’ assessment.

After surrendering an average of 181 passing yards the first three

games, including seven touchdown passes, Mesa’s six subsequent foes

have thrown for just 331 yards, a 55-yard average, and just one TD.

During the six-game stretch, Waldron, Gonzalez and Rodriguez have

collected six of the team’s seven interceptions. Mesa had just one

interception the first three weeks.

Waldron, whom Perkins calls the leader of the group, has three

interceptions this season and, at 6-2, 180 pounds, has assumed a

physical presence in the center of the field.

“He has made some big hits over the middle,” Perkins said. “Guys

might catch one over the middle, but they don’t come around again

without looking for No. 20.”

Gonzalez has two interceptions and has provided strong run

support.

“He’s probably a better tackler than Al, but he has more varsity

experience, having started for us last year.”

Perkins said Rodriguez, who has two interceptions, has come out of

nowhere this season after languishing on the bench last fall.

“He had a hard time starting on the junior varsity last season,

but he really showed us something over the summer. We had a passing

league game at Tustin and they matched up their 6-6 tight end on him

outside. They threw the ball over there and Al climbed up the guy’s

frame like a ladder to knock the ball away. We knew then we might

have something with him.”

Perkins said Jett demands intensity and effort on every snap in

practice, and his emphasis on tackling has helped the Mustangs limit

big plays.

Santa Ana, which had earned more than 65% of its offensive yards

in the air coming in (193 per game), collected just 93 yards on 12

completions. Further, the Saints’ longest passing gain was 12 yards.

Mesa limited two catches to negative yards and halted another for no

gain, while limiting four other completions to 5, 5, 4 and 3 yards.

With additional credit due the Mustangs’ pass rush and its

linebackers dropping in coverage, opponents have completed just 38 of

88 passes the last six games, just 43%.

“We have all the confidence in the world in these guys,” Perkins

said.