First win beckons

The Costa Mesa High football team has lost its six games this season,

but Mustangs Coach Jay Johnson believes his squad has faced seven

opponents.

“We’ve held ourselves back,” said Johnson, whose unit visits the

Santa Ana Bowl Saturday at 7 p.m. for a Golden West League clash

against Santa Ana.

The Saints (3-2, 2-0 in league) are tied with Westminster atop the

league standings.

Westminster topped Costa Mesa, 47-6, Friday, dropping the Mustangs

to 0-6, 0-2. Costa Mesa has lost eight straight, dating back to last

season.

“We need to find our own way,” said Johnson, who will try to keep

his team focused on improving and having fun. “We’re at the point

where we need to do the things to get that W.”

Turnovers and injuries have been a big problem for the Mustangs.

And while several players have returned from injuries, including

senior tailback Ivan Ruiz and senior quarterback Ryan French, the

miscues have continued.

Mesa is minus-13 in turnover ratio, including four interceptions

against Westminster.

Ruiz has sparked the running game that was all but dormant since

returning all-league tailback Tyler Legg was sidelined for the season

with a broken leg in the second game.

Ruiz, making his first start last week, produced his second

straight 100-plus rushing total. He has 228 yards on 40 carries in

two games.

French, an all-league returner who missed three games after

separating his shoulder in the opener, has struggled to find his

rhythm. While throwing for 249 yards and one touchdown, he has

completed 28 of 72 with nine interceptions.

Santa Ana has won three straight after opening the season with a

pair of losses. The Saints have outscored Bolsa Grande, Ocean View

and Saddleback by a combined 125-15.

Johnson said the Saints are an I-formation running team. Senior

Jason McCalope has amassed 925 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 88

carries, as the Saints have hardly bothered with the pass.

COSTA MESA STARTERS

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OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

10 Ryan French 6-2 175 Sr. QB

2 Ivan Ruiz 5-6 155 Sr. TB

7 Cody Waldron 6-1 175 Jr. WR 28 Josh Lowe 6-1 170 Jr. WR 3 Kirkland Huynh 5-7 151 Jr. SR

27 Tony Krikorian 5-9 150 Sr. SR

64 Ryan Segovia 6-0 270 Sr. LT

55 London Sapolu 6-1 225 Jr. LG 61 R. Soomalelogi 5-11 240 Sr. C

67 Robert De La Cruz 5-10 255 Sr. RG 63 Rudy Hernandez 5-10 240 Jr. RT *--*

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DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

61 R. Soomalelogi 5-11 240 Sr. DE 67 Robert De La Cruz 5-10 255 Sr. DT 63 Rudy Hernandez 5-10 240 Jr. DT 84 Giovanni Porcayo 5-10 213 Sr. DE 33 Richard Huk 5-7 185 Sr. LB

40 Cody De La Mater 5-9 192 So LB

55 London Sapolu 6-1 225 Jr. LB 24 Mitch Caldwell 6-1 175 Sr. CB 27 Tony Krikorian 5-9 150 Sr. CB

7 Cody Waldron 6-1 175 Jr. SS 30 Jon Morris 5-8 145 Sr. FS

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