Mustangs need a remedy

As quickly as it came, the flu bug left the Costa Mesa High football team this week.

Good news for the Mustangs, who will face Santiago tonight at 7 in a nonleague game at Garden Grove High.

For Costa Mesa, putting some more points on the board would be an even sweeter remedy.

Through four games, the Mustangs (0-4) have scored just 13 points. That can happen when a team is forced to turn to a sophomore quarterback who hardly took any reps at the position this summer.

But Costa Mesa Coach Jeremy Osso said Brian Waldron’s development has been very encouraging. Last week, the efficient Waldron threw his first touchdown pass of the season, a 26-yard strike to senior John Salyer.

“He’s definitely feeling more comfortable,” Osso said. “He took maybe six snaps at quarterback this summer, but he’s seeing things we haven’t even talked about. His natural athletic ability kind of takes over.”

As with any quarterback, Waldron would also benefit from more time in the pocket.

“We’re trying to get the offensive line to play more aggressively,” Osso said. “They need to be a little bit nasty.”

The Mesa offense may get another boost tonight as Antwon Byrd could return from a hip flexor injury. The speedy junior tailback, who rushed for 184 yards and a score in the season opener, is not slated to start but should see limited action against Santiago, Osso said.

But, Osso said, the Mustangs’ defense needs to help the offense out. Costa Mesa has had to start a lot of drives deep in its own territory.

“We definitely want to sustain drives, but we need to take the ball away from [opponents] too,” Osso said.

Santiago (2-1) likes to run the ball, and utilizes a committee of backs. Senior Gary Lopez, who has run for 202 yards and three touchdowns through three games, is a primary weapon.

Lopez also plays receiver for the Cavaliers. Last year, in Santiago’s 14-0 win over Costa Mesa, he ran for 158 yards.

“He’s an explosive back,” Osso said. “He ran all over us last year. They have a running-back-by-committee, but they do a heck of a job doing what they do. Their offensive line blocks well.

“They’re a lot like Bolsa Grande,” Osso added, referencing the team that the Mustangs lost to last week, 22-6. “But Bolsa had some guys who looked a little bit undersized, and Santiago doesn’t really. They’re probably in the upper-echelon of [the Garden Grove League] this year.”

For the Mustangs, it’s their second straight game in Garden Grove. But this week, they hope to leave with a win.

“They’re going to come out intense, but we have to be able to match their intensity,” Osso said.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at matthew.szabo@latimes.com.