Mesa facing big test

Patrick Laverty

It’s strength against strength tonight at El Modena High as Costa

Mesa’s vaunted run defense matches up against an Orange offense that

has rushed for more than 2,000 yards in six games this season.

The contest, which begins at 7, is critical for the Mustangs (4-2,

1-1 in Golden West League play) if they hope to defend their league

championship from a year ago. Costa Mesa enters the game behind

Orange (5-1, 3-0) and Westminster (5-1, 2-0), which they play Nov. 7.

The key in both games for the Mustangs, ranked sixth in CIF

Southern Section Division VII, will likely be just how well their run

defense stacks up against two of the better rushing teams in the

league. No. 3 Orange, led by senior Justin Jones, is averaging 365

rushing yards per game.

But the Mustangs have only allowed 243 yards rushing in six games

combined. Using a three-man defensive front consisting of Marc

Daniels, Eric Reyes and Qualic Vargas, and a five-man linebacking

unit featuring Jeff Waldron, Cameron Wynglarz, Luke Sapolu, Junior

Epenesa and Gary Gonzalez, Costa Mesa hasn’t allowed a team to rush

for more than 82 yards this season. Only two opponents have rushed

for more than 36 yards.

Orange, however, has two running backs averaging more than 100

yards per game and 8 yards per carry. Jones has gained 1,085 yards on

127 carries and has rushed for 13 touchdowns. Sophomore Daniel

Chairez has carried the ball 78 times for 659 yards and five

touchdowns.

Their ability to get past Costa Mesa’s stiff defensive front could

decide the Mustangs fate.

“I think it [will],” Costa Mesa Coach Dave Perkins said. “I think

the game’s going to be decided on the line. I think that the team

that’s able to move the ball in [other ways] is going to win and we

can throw the ball.”

The Mustangs have become much more balanced this year, though

senior tailback Omar Ruiz has rushed for more than 200 yards in each

of the last three games. For the season, Ruiz leads the Mustangs with

1,009 yards rushing on 154 attempts. He has also scored 10

touchdowns.

But as teams make changes in an attempt to slow Ruiz, Perkins has

confidence in the Mustangs ability to throw the ball.

“If they play one-on-one against Jorge Quiroz or Jeff Waldron, or

even Brett Via, who had a couple nice catches [last] week, we have

guys that will hurt them,” Perkins said.

Throwing the ball to those three receivers is junior quarterback

Bruce Wilkinson, who looks better under center with each passing

week. He has completed 42 of 74 passes for 619 yards, with four

touchdowns and two interceptions.

Wilkinson should help the Mustangs in their attempt to sneak back

toward the top of the league standings after being upset by

Saddleback three weeks ago, but much of the concentration has to be

on stopping Jones.

“He’s a slasher,” Perkins said. “He’s not a power back, but he’ll

make you miss.”

Jones also returns kicks and he returned a punt for a touchdown in

last week’s victory over Ocean View.

Mesa had trouble on special teams last week, allowing a 92-yard

kickoff return for a touchdown.

“[Our special teams] were good for the first five weeks,” Perkins

said. “Then the guy’s running back kickoffs like he’s the guy from

Kansas City.”