Mustangs left in shambles

NEWPORT BEACH — It would have been tough enough for the Costa Mesa High football team to beat Rim of the World at full strength.

But the Mustangs were decidedly not at full strength Saturday night at Newport Harbor High.

Coach Jeremy Osso said six players were suspended from the game for violating team rules. Three more quit the team this week, and another player was removed.

It’s hard to win football games that way, especially when you’re trying to snap a six-game losing streak to begin the season. And the Mustangs’ homecoming game, traditionally supposed to be a time of celebration, was a time of frustration after Costa Mesa’s 44-0 loss to the visiting Fighting Scots.

“It kind of deflates homecoming, with everything that happened,” Osso said.

Rim of the World (5-1) spent much of the night deflating the Mustangs (0-7). The team from Lake Arrowhead was physical up front, allowing sophomore running back Nick Toner to rush for 108 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half.

Osso said Costa Mesa players like Cody De La Mater, Thomas Guzowski, John Salyer, Brian Waldron and Travis Whitlock always come out pumped up.

“We came out slow, but I shouldn’t generalize the whole team,” he said.

But, he added, he needs some of the other players to match that kind of intensity level.

And the Mustangs didn’t need to lose even more players, but several different Costa Mesa players were helped off the field during the game, including starting right guard Argenis Valencia (shoulder) early in the second quarter. He couldn’t return, which was also not a help to Costa Mesa’s running backs. The Mustangs rushed for just 41 yards in the game.

Sophomore quarterback-safety Waldron was also shaken up early in the second half, and Brett Farthing finished up at quarterback.

“There’s a lot of guys who went down,” Osso said. “They were physical, but we didn’t match their intensity either.”

Costa Mesa’s best chance at scoring came when the Mustangs recovered a fumble during Whitlock’s quarterback sack late in the first quarter. But, two plays later, the Mustangs fumbled the ball away themselves, and remained behind, 17-0.

Osso said his team now just needs to regroup for Orange Coast League play. Following a bye next week, Mesa plays at Laguna Beach on Oct. 26.

“It’s all about righting the ship before league starts,” Osso said.

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

FIRST QUARTER

Rim – Toner 1 run (kick failed), 8:27.

Rim – Montoya 25 interception return (Caporuscio pass from Farley), 5:46.

Rim – Lyter 26 FG, 2:59.

SECOND QUARTER

Rim – Farley 5 run (Lyter kick), 7:56.

Rim – Toner 5 run (Lyter kick), 3:42.

Rim – Toner 15 run (Lyter kick), 2:36.

FOURTH QUARTER

Rim – Lund 3 run (pass failed), 10:02.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

Rim – Toner, 11-108, 3 TDs; Lund, 23-92, 1 TD; Dennis, 2-30; Pesquera, 4-27; Maier, 1-21; MacLeod, 3-6; Farley, 1-5, 1 TD; Stemarie, 2-0; Perlin, 1-0.

CM – De La Mater, 7-18; Salyer, 4-17; Gemayel, 11-8; Argumedo, 2-3; Farthing, 1-minus-2; Gomez, 1-minus-3.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

Rim – Farley, 3-9-1, 43.

CM – Waldron, 2-13-1, 18; Farthing, 1-6-0, 14.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Rim – Folker, 2-31; Grotewold, 1-12.

CM – Salyer, 1-14; L. Gomez, 1-11; Gemayel, 1-7.