Costa Mesa plenty rested

At the start of the week, Costa Mesa High football players were talking about next week’s Orange Coast League opener against cross-town rival Estancia.

Coach Jeremy Osso had just two sentences to say to them.

“It’s next week,” Osso said. “Focus on this week.”

This week, the Mustangs are on the road tonight to play nonleague opponent Cerritos. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Gahr High in Cerritos.

Costa Mesa is coming off a bye, and Osso said it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Mustangs (1-5). It allowed them to rest up some key players, including senior quarterback Cody Waldron.

“He had a banged up knee and has been playing through it,” Osso said. “The week off really helped him and his knee get better.”

Also nursing lingering injuries are cornerback Manuel Gomez and linebacker Antwon Byrd, although Osso said Byrd would not be available to play tonight.

Two-way lineman London Sapolu, a senior, is also expected to return. Sapolu suffered a concussion during the Mustangs’ game against Santiago on Sept. 28, missed the game against Katella the following week, but also took advantage of the bye week.

“It’s nice that we only lost him for the Katella game,” Osso said.

Yet another Mustang returning is sophomore linebacker Robbie Gemayel, also projected to start tonight. Gemayel collapsed from exhaustion after Costa Mesa’s lone win over Bolsa Grande on Sept. 22, but has now been cleared to play.

Costa Mesa will be facing a Cerritos team that appears hard to decipher. With a 3-3 overall record, the Dons are 1-2 in the Suburban League, effectively using the game against the Mustangs as a week break from league play.

Cerritos has been shut out twice but has also scored 30 points twice, including in last week’s 30-27 win over Glenn High of Norwalk.

Osso said the Dons have their share of weapons, including senior quarterback Phillip Chang and senior tailback Louis Preston. They run several formations, including an I-formation.

“They don’t throw the ball extremely well, but their quarterback is fast and runs the option,” Osso said. “They’re pretty fast and physical. They’re an extremely aggressive team.”

Defensively, he said Cerritos runs a five-two formation. He said the Mustangs will need to avoid Dons’ linebacker Victor Lee.

“He’s a beast,” Osso said. “The kid’s all over the field.”

The Mustangs may have their work cut out for them. Cerritos beat common opponent Rancho Alamitos, 30-13, in its third game, while Costa Mesa lost to the Vaqueros, 42-12, in its second game.

But Osso said win or lose, the Mustangs’ 1-5 record now means little. They just need to be playing well heading into the Orange Coast League, and this is their last chance to do so.

“We’re trying to get better by the time we get to league,” Osso said. “There’s three games that matter more this year, and those are the league games. The key is playing well. That’s more important than a victory, but don’t get me wrong, I like wins.”