Label Mustangs a contender

Like most football teams around this time, Costa Mesa High doesn’t have its helmet decals.

Coaches usually wait until the season nears, so players earn them by making the team.

At Costa Mesa last season, the Mustangs ran without their Mustang on the helmet. It didn’t hurt much.

They became Orange Coast League co-champions and made the playoffs in Coach Jeremy Osso’s second year.

“We didn’t have decals because [Southern Methodist University] has put a patent on [its] decal,” Osso said, adding that SMU planned to charge Costa Mesa to use its logo. “It was always the one we were using [in the past], the SMU Mustang.”

Costa Mesa will use a decal this year.

“It’s very similar, just a little different,” said Osso, who led Costa Mesa to a 3-8 record, 2-1 in league in 2007. “Logos kind of help create the pride in a program.”

Having eight starters return on both sides of the ball should already lift a team’s confidence.

Here’s a position-by-position look at the Mustangs, who start the season with a nonleague game against Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor High on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.

Quarterback: A new face emerges in junior Todd Davis. He was academically ineligible last season after transferring from Edison.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Davis will start despite junior Brian Waldron returning after starting last season.

“[Davis] is just a little more of a quarterback type, where Brian is really athletic,” said Osso, whose team struggled to score last season, when it averaged 6.9 points per game. “We did [struggle passing the ball]. Our struggle was a combination of things. We didn’t catch the ball. We were young. At one time, we started six sophomores.

“Waldron was a sophomore. He kind of learned quarterback on the fly.”

Waldron, a 5-10, 160-pounder, will focus on defense at strong safety, but will be a backup to Davis, along with senior Brett Farthing.

Running backs: Osso moves another experienced player to a different position.

Antwon Byrd, the leading rusher last season with 481 yards, will mainly be a wide receiver in an attempt to keep him healthy and better utilize his speed.

In steps senior Robbie Gemayel, who is smaller and slower than Byrd, who is a 100-meter sprinter.

Osso is counting on the 6-2, 180-pound Gemayel to carry the load.

“The last three games he kind of emerged,” Osso said of Gemayel, who led the team with 86 carries and rushed for 273 yards and one touchdown while Byrd missed games due to injury.

“[Byrd] will still get some carries. Every time he touches the ball he has a chance to score.”

At fullback, juniors Nick Haynes and Justin Miller are slated to split time.

Receivers: No one reached double digits in receptions last season.

Luis Gomez came close with nine for 119 yards and he caught one of the two touchdown passes thrown by Waldron.

The junior returns after earning first-team all-league honors. His numbers should increase with Byrd starting at the other receiver spot.

“We want to be able to even it out,” Osso said of the offensive attack.

Senior Manny Gomez will see action as well. The cousin of Luis has impressed Osso with his hard work.

Others who should see some time are senior John Galvin, sophomore Julian Marquez, senior Jeff Dye and Waldron.

Tight end: Senior Nick Pederson starts after being a backup last season. The 6-3, 200-pound Pederson can block and catch the ball well, Osso said.

“He’s a combo,” Osso said.

Sophomore Andrew Albers will be the backup. He’s a big target at 6-7, 240 pounds, and an extra blocker.

Offensive line: As if the line needed another boost with everyone returning.

Miguel Romo joined the staff as the offensive line coach after being at Corona del Mar High.

“Things are just [crisper],” Osso said. “He’s been coaching 15 years on the varsity level. He has a track record with working with undersized guys. We aren’t the biggest guys.”

The line isn’t so small, averaging 6-1, 220 pounds.

Senior Juan Garces returns after receiving first-team all-league honors. He shifts from guard to center. Next to him at guard are junior Travis Whitlock and senior Argenis Valencia. At the tackle spots are senior Thomas Guzowski and junior Brian Simrak.

“He’s one of the best linemen I have ever coached,” Osso said of 6-2, 250-pound Whitlock, a first-team all-league pick in 2007.

The line should help Gemayel surpass last year’s rushing totals.

Defensive line: Garces again will be inside. Senior Max Cederquist might start next to the 5-9, 210-pound Garces.

Guzowski returns at defensive end, where he garnered first-team all-league recognition last season. Senior Jason Schroeder (6-3, 225) will be on the opposite side.

“We’re moving Jason back outside, where he’s a little more natural,” Osso said, adding that he will use Whitlock at times on the line as well.

Linebackers: There’s an array of talent at this position, a combination of speed and toughness. Costa Mesa is going to need both if it plans to reduce the near-four touchdowns per game it allowed last season.

The 6-3, 190-pound Haynes starts in the middle with Pederson on the outside.

“When you think of linebackers, he’s what you think of,” Osso said of Haynes. “He’s got that nasty attitude. He just wants to hit people.”

Cody De La Mater was that player last year for Costa Mesa. He graduated.

Byrd and Gemayel will split time on the weak side to keep them fresh on offense.

Sophomore Thomas Munoz will contribute as well.

Secondary: Out of the few starters lost to graduation, the one involving strong safety John Salyer hurts the most because he was the league’s defensive MVP.

Waldron will look to fill that void. He played free safety last season.

“That is also kind of why Todd’s got the edge at quarterback,” Osso said. “ I don’t want my quarterback to be too close to the line of scrimmage on defense.”

Manny Gomez returns at cornerback. Galvin, who sat out last season after he transferred from Mater Dei, will start at the other cornerback spot.

“Technique-wise, he’s so fantastic,” Osso said of Galvin. “Had he been able to play last year, he probably would’ve gotten significant time for us.”

Senior Jeff Dye will be a backup.

At free safety, senior Christian Argumedo starts. He played cornerback in 2007.

Special teams: Senior Hector Solis will be the kicker and punter. He received second-team all-league honors last season, more as a tight end. He made two extra points.

Returning kickoffs and punts will most likely be Luis Gomez and Argumedo.

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.