Mesa geared up for passing fancy

Then-junior Ryan French twice threw for more than 200 yards in a game

last season, becoming the first Costa Mesa High football quarterback

to do so in more than a decade.

But since first-year coach Jay Johnson has installed the spread

offense, piling up yardage through the air just might become an

annual ritual for Mustang signal callers.

Indeed, those who have come to appreciate the smashmouth running

schemes featured by Mesa offenses ever since Myron Miller brought in

the double wing in 1992, might have to find another team to watch to

get their fix of off-tackle slams.

“In the [Golden West League], schools like to run the ball,” said

Johnson, who compiled a 26-45 record the last seven years as head

coach at Fairmont Prep (2003-04), Calvary Chapel (1999-2002) and

Western Christian in Covina (1998). “But the spread is a more

exciting offense, less predictable and more fun for the fans.”

Johnson also believes the offense -- which, after it’s success at

Utah under now-Florida Coach Urban Meyer has become wildly popular

with college and prep coaches nationwide -- is a good fit for the

Mustangs’ personnel.

“You have to have a good quarterback to run the spread and we have

a couple,” Johnson, who will coordinate the offense, said. “And, the

linemen here are smaller and more athletic than in the past, so that

fits right in with this offense, too.”

French, who will be in the shotgun 99% of the time, earned

second-team all-league honors as a junior, when he threw for 1,100

yards and seven touchdowns on a team that went 2-8, 2-4 in league.

Tailback Tyler Legg and kicker Ryan Bagwell, both now seniors,

were first-team all-league performers a year ago, while two-way

lineman Juan Diaz made second-team all-league on defense as a junior

in 2004.

Legg was responsible for 1,049 of the team’s 1,599 rushing yards

last season and should spearhead the running game again in the

one-back scheme. He scored 10 of the 22 TDs produced by the Mustangs’

offense last fall.

Bagwell, who kicked three field goals, including a long of 36

yards, should also help out at receiver, while Diaz, a 6-foot-1,

300-pound offensive guard and defensive tackle, is expected to be an

anchor up front on both sides of the ball.

Senior Evan Hunter, a two-way starter at receiver and corner last

season, is recovering from June shoulder surgery to tighten up loose

ligaments. But he is expected to be a big contributor, but will

likely miss Friday’s nonleague opener at Brea Olinda, Johnson said.

Senior Tony Krikorian, a returning starter at corner who is

expected to join Hunter as a starting slot, is another veteran of

note.

Senior Robert De La Cruz is a returning starter at guard who is

projected to also start at middle linebacker, while junior Cody

Waldron will likely start at strong safety and wideout, while waiting

in the wings to assume the quarterback role next season, Johnson

said.

Johnson, who also brings discipline and a passion for building

character in his players, is pleased with the way players have bought

into his philosophical vision for the program.

The 41-year-old former running back at Azusa Pacific, where he

started as a senior after waiting his turn behind future NFL standout

Christian Okoye, also believes the level of talent and experience on

hand could lead to the kind of success that can convince Mesa it made

the right choice by making him the school’s third coach in three

seasons.

“This is the place I want to be for the rest of my career,” said

Johnson, who is still awaiting a full-time teaching position at the

school and may be forced to work as a substitute teacher in the fall

while doing so.

“My No. 1 emphasis is getting the kids to work hard, be on time

and be accountable for everything,” he said. “I want kids who are

committed and can see things all the way through.”

Johnson also believes a successful season this year, combined with

a move next season to a newly created league that will include

Estancia, Laguna Beach, Calvary Chapel and the newly opened Godinez

in Santa Ana, could form a foundation for perennial prominence for a

program that has won only one of its eight CIF Southern Section

playoff games since it played in the CIF Division VIII championship

game in 1993.

Since winning three playoff games to get to that ’93 final --

which at that point equaled the amount of postseason victories the

school had achieved in its first 33 varsity seasons -- The Mustangs

have only a first-round win over Buena Park in 1997 to show for their

seven trips to the playoffs.

Most agree that earning one of the Golden West League’s three

guaranteed playoff berths this season is readily attainable. But the

consensus also puts defending champion Westminster and 2004 runner-up

Orange a notch above the chase pack.

“I don’t think people are expecting much from Costa Mesa and I

like it that way,” said Johnson, who led two Calvary Chapel teams to

the playoffs, including a quarterfinal bid in 2000.

Johnson, whose staff includes former Costa Mesa quarterback Bill

Lux, as well as Mesa wrestling coach Paul Serio, said he came into

the program with no expectations, or perceptions, in terms of

personnel.

With 39 players on the varsity roster, Johnson cites depth as a

concern. But he’s hoping a winning atmosphere will help attract kids

in subsequent years.

“If we can get this thing going,” he said, “we might be able to

get kids who are iffy about coming out to join the program.

Ultimately, I’d like to be able to two-platoon [start players only

one way].”

Johnson’s plan to go with a no-huddle attack on offense will also

put a premium on conditioning.

Colors: Green and white.

League: Golden West.

2004 record: 2-8, 2-6 in league.

Offense: Spread.

Defense: Four-three.

Head coach: Jay Johnson (first year).

Staff: Johnson (off.coordinator, secondary); David Mamelli (def.

coordinator, receivers, def. line); Bill Lux (off. co-coordinator,

QBs); Paul Serio (off. line, linebackers).

Returning starters: Five offense, three defense.

Returning with honors: RB Tyler Legg, K Ryan Bagwell, QB Ryan

French, DT Juan Diaz.

2004 results

*--*

7 Brea Olinda 21

9 Corona del Mar 35

28 Huntington Beach 42

9 Laguna Beach 10

7 Westminster* 42

38 Santa Ana* 24

14 Saddleback* 27

25 Ocean View* 22

21 Orange* 43

13 Estancia* 18

*--*

2005 schedule

Friday, Sept. 2 -- at Brea Olinda, 7

Friday, Sept. 9 -- Corona del Mar (at Newport), 7

Thursday, Sept. 15 -- at Huntington Beach, 7

Friday, Sept. 23 -- at Laguna Beach, 7

Friday, Sept., 30 -- Estancia* (at Orange Coast), 7

Friday, Oct. 7 -- Westminster* (at OCC), 7

Saturday, Oct. 15 -- at Santa Ana* (SA Bowl), 7

Friday, Oct. 21 -- Saddleback* (at OCC), 7

Friday, Oct. 28 -- Ocean View* (at Newport Harbor), 7

Friday, Nov. 11 -- Orange* (at El Modena), 7