Mustangs seize deed

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COSTA MESA — It’s still about the rib dinner for the winners, precious bragging rights and the Orange Coast League standings. But, since the two schools took dual possession of Jim Scott Stadium before last season, the annual Battle for the Bell between Costa Mesa High and Estancia seems to have become more about which rival will be the rightful landlord.

The designated host Mustangs (4-3, 1-0 in league) once again seized the deed, besting the Eagles (4-3, 0-1), ranked No. 9 in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division, in nearly all facets to come away with a flag-planting 27-13 triumph before a large, spirited crowd Friday night.

“It’s way important,” Costa Mesa senior Luis Gomez said of his team’s second straight win in the annual crosstown showdown. “This is the second year in a row that we have made this our house.”

The Costa Mesa students chimed in during the closing seconds, chanting “This-is-our-house,” as Coach Jeremy Osso’s Mustangs backed up the pregame banner they broke through that read, in part: “This is our house and it’s our bell [perpetual trophy].”

In contrast, a sign at the top of the Estancia bleachers that read “You [Mustangs] may be [the] home [team], but this is our house,” was rendered erroneous.

The Mustangs scored on the opening possession of each half and rode an efficient passing attack, an effective ground game and solid defense to their sixth straight win in Orange Coast League play.

Costa Mesa, which won the outright league crown last season after splitting it with Estancia is 2007, got big performances from seniors Josh Erno, Todd Davis, Luis Gomez, Brian Waldron and Travis Whitlock, among others.

Erno rushed for 93 yards on 19 carries, completed both of his third-down passes to move the chains, had three receptions for 27 yards, and had a sack on fourth down to all but thwart Estancia’s comeback bid with 6:48 left in the contest.

Davis, who left the field with a cracked rib last season against Estancia, completed 15 of 28 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Four would-be completions were dropped by open receivers and he did not throw an interception. Davis, who had eight completions go for first downs, also rushed for 15 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked only once.

Gomez, who proclaimed the Mustangs “the team to beat,” in the Friday edition of the Daily Pilot, backed up his boast by catching seven passes for 75 yards. His eight-yard slant capped a five-play, 54-yard TD drive to open the game.

Estancia senior tailback Alex Abalos, whose status was uncertain after recovering from a bruised knee sustained last week, kept the Eagles in it. He broke off a 50-yard run to set up the Eagles’ first touchdown, as they trailed, 7-6, at the half.

Mesa, however, had more than one offensive weapon and Davis distributed masterfully, alternating in the shotgun with Erno, who had most of his carries after taking a direct snap. It helped that the offensive line led by Whitlock and 6-foot-7, 255-pound junior left tackle Andrew Albers, formed a strong pocket.

“I stuck with the game plan,” Davis said. “I tried to stay calm, make my reads, get the ball to different players and get yards. I love my linemen. They gave me so much time. I could have read a book, done my homework and written an essay back there.”

After Erno capped a 14-play, 51-yard drive with a three-yard TD run with 6:17 left in the third quarter, Estancia fumbled on the first play of its ensuing possession and Mesa safety Julian Marquez recovered at the Mustangs’ 46.

Nine plays later, Davis scored on a one-yard sneak and Jairo Farfan’s conversion kick made it 20-6 with 2:25 left in the third quarter.

But Abalos, who finished with 144 rushing yards on 19 attempts before leaving with a sprained ankle early in the final quarter, burst 47 yards for a TD to cut the lead to seven.

Estancia forced a punt and moved the ball near midfield, before Erno blew up a fourth-and-eight play with a sack.

Costa Mesa 27, Estancia 13

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Estancia 0-6-7-0--13

Costa Mesa 7-0-13-7--27

FIRST QUARTER

CM – L. Gomez 8 pass from Davis (Farfan kick), 7:57.

SECOND QUARTER

Est – A. Kirshner 2 run (kick failed), 4:18.

THIRD QUARTER

CM – Erno 3 run (kick blocked), 6:17.

CM – Davis 1 run (Farfan kick), 2:25.

Est – Abalos 47 run (Diego kick), 1:04.

FOURTH QUARTER

CM – Waldron 4 pass from Davis (Farfan kick), 2:21.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

Est – Abalos, 19-144, 1 TD; Davis, 5-25; A. Kirshner, 6-17, 1 TD; G. De La Torre, 1-8; O. Gutierrez, 1-6.

CM – Erno, 19-93, 1 TD; Davis, 6-15, 1 TD; Sheffner, 8-8; L. Gomez, 1-4.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

Est – A. Kirshner, 6-13-1, 59.

CM – Davis, 15-28-0, 149, 2 TDs; Erno, 2-2-0, 14.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Est – Bennett, 2-26; Calabrese, 2-14; Davis, 1-10; Carlyle, 1-9.

CM – L. Gomez, 7-75, 1 TD; Waldron, 5-47, 1 TD; Erno, 3-27; Grayson, 2-14.