Costa Mesa hopes for, needs an upset

Costa Mesa football game preview vs. OrangeA win over Orange might be enough to put Mustangs into the CIF playoffs, but they also need help.After producing back-to-back wins to rebound from an 0-7 start, the Costa Mesa High football team might have preferred another challenge to a bye.

But after using its bye week to heal bumps and bruises, the Mustangs will see if they can recapture some magic in a 1 p.m. Golden West League finale against Orange at El Modena High.

The Mustangs (2-7, 2-3 in league) need an upset victory and an Estancia loss to Santa Ana tonight to earn the league’s fourth guaranteed CIF Southern Section Division VII playoff berth.

A Costa Mesa loss, or an Estancia win, and the Mustangs will have missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

The Mustangs have not had a postseason drought longer than two years since 1987, when they missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season.

Orange (7-2, 4-1), ranked No. 6 in the CIF Division VII poll, has other ideas. The Panthers, coached by former Orange Coast College defensive lineman and former Estancia assistant coach Greg Gibson, are trying to extend a three-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.

The rare weekday afternoon game, made possible by the Veteran’s Day holiday, will feature two teams that run the double wing offense.

The smashmouth, run-oriented scheme has helped Orange rejuvenate its program under Gibson. The Panthers are 20-3 against Golden West League competition over the last four years, after going 2-8 overall in Gibson’s debut season in 2001.

Costa Mesa turned to the scheme after struggling to an 0-7 start with the spread offense. The double wing had been the staple of Costa Mesa’s success for more than a decade after being introduced by former coach Myron Miller in 1992.

Since making the switch, the Mustangs surprised Saddleback for a 23-21 win on Oct. 21, and then rolled over Ocean View, 24-0, on Oct. 28.

“It’s two similar offenses, but [the Panthers] have been running it the last couple years, so they know a little bit more of the nuances and adjustments,” first-year Costa Mesa Coach Jay Johnson said. “And they might have a little better idea of what defensive schemes will slow it down.”

Costa Mesa is led by senior wingback Ivan Ruiz, who has 545 rushing yards and three touchdowns after missing the first four games with a knee injury. Senior Tony Krikorian, another wingback, has rushed for 348 yards on 67 carries.

Orange relies on wingbacks Matthew Contreras, a sophomore, and senior Daniel Chairez.

Contreras has 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns on 154 rushing attempts.