Mustangs’ streak alive

Costa Mesa rides running game to blank Ocean View, 24-0, and earn second straight Golden West League triumph.NEWPORT BEACH -- The Costa Mesa High football team is undefeated. In the Mustangs’ new season, that is. Call it their post-spread-offense record.

Costa Mesa used a strong ground game and a stronger defense to stifle Ocean View, 24-0, at Newport Harbor High. The Golden West League win improved Costa Mesa to 2-7, 2-3 in league.

Throughout the first seven games of the season, the Mustangs ran a spread offense that relied on the pass. For the last two weeks, the Mustangs have gone to the double wing offense, and have been a running team again.

Senior wingback Ivan Ruiz rushed for 135 yards in the game and scored two touchdowns in the second half.

“My line worked hard and gave me big holes all night to run through,” Ruiz said.

“This offense works, it’s great for me as running back, and it is getting us victories.”

Wingback Tony Krikorian also contributed in the running game. The senior rushed for 96 yards and scored the games first touchdown on a sweep to the right side of the field from 6 yards out.

Costa Mesa set the tone with six minutes left in the second quarter. Leading, 7-0, Costa Mesa Coach Jay Johnson elected to go for it on fourth-and-one from the Mustangs’ 40-yard-line.

Quarterback Ryan French gained 2 yards on a quarterback sneak to get the first down.

The drive eventually stalled on the Ocean View 45-yard line, but Johnson showed he had confidence in his offense.

“The kids are more comfortable out there in this offense,” Johnson said. “The linemen just dig in, and drive guys off the ball and the ball carriers just find an open space.”

The shutout appeared to be in danger when Ocean View showed signs of life in the fourth quarter. With 8:09 remaining, the Seahawks started a drive at their 25-yard line. Ocean View marched to the Mustang 23. But a mishandled handoff was fumbled and recovered by Costa Mesa senior Robert De La Cruz.

“When I saw that ball come loose, I knew I had to grab that doughnut,” De La Cruz said.

The Mustangs were dominant on defense. Five different Mustangs halted Ocean View drives with forced turnovers. De La Cruz and Landon Sapolu made fumble recoveries. Sapolu ripped the ball out of a Seahawks player’s arms in the first quarter.

Cody Waldron, Tony Krikorian, and Jon Morris intercepted errant Ocean View passes.

The Seahawks produced 209 yards of total offense.