Defending Bay League champion Mira Costa enters league competition on a high note after celebrating its homecoming game with a 17-6 defeat of Newport Harbor and Redondo profited from a bye week as the two schools play road games against teams with identical 1-4 records.
Led by J.R. Tavai and R. J. Coleman, Mira Costa’s defense continued to shine as it held Newport Harbor only 31 yards rushing on 28 carries, handing the Sailors their second consecutive loss.
After Brendan Sofen gave Mira Costa (2-3) a 3-0 lead with a 35-yard field goal, quarterback Dennis Falcone put the Mustangs up 10-0 with a one-yard sneak for a touchdown late in the third quarter.
With 10:29 left in regulation, Mira Costa jumped out to a 17-0 lead when Deon Morris scored on an eight-yard scamper. The senior running back finished the game with 104 yards on 20 carries and Falcone completed 4-of-12 passes for 41 yards to keep Newport Harbor’s defense honest.
Mira Costa travels to take on West Friday in a 7 p.m. contest. West is coming off a 21-3 loss to North and is suffering from a sporadic offense. The Warriors have mustered only 55 points while surrendering 113 although Barry Thomas rushed for 108 yards on 24 carries against the Saxons. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound sophomore running back has gained 474 yards on 96 carries and scored four touchdowns this season.
West’s lone win came in the second week of the season with a 28-14 victory over Torrance. Along with North, the Warriors have lost to Culver City, El Segundo and South.
Kicker Cody Thornton helps the Warrior’s offensive attack which has used two quarterbacks with senior Austin Watters (6-1, 200) and sophomore Joey Notch (5-11, 165) splitting time. Tight end Josh Girardini (6-4, 245) provides a formidable target.
West’s defense is led by linebackers Taylor Gimian (6-2, 205), August Glover (6-1, 200) and Morgan McGuire (6-1, 200). Defensive lineman Terrance Haynes (6-2, 225) has two sacks for the Warriors.
Redondo travels up the hill
Coach Gene Simon’s Redondo team hopes to end its day-game bug-a-boo with a victory at Peninsula (1-4). The Sea Hawks (3-2) suffered a disappointing 21-14 loss in a day game at Palos Verdes last season and haven’t won a day game on the hill since a 27-10 victory at Peninsula in 2006.
Redondo comes off a bye week after defeating Banning 30-21. Quarterback Nick Pope has completed 41-of-89 passes for 521 yards and five touchdowns with only two interceptions and junior running back Ryan Spiwak has rushed for four touchdowns and 367 yards on 60 carries. He also has two interceptions as a linebacker.
The Sea Hawks have outscored their opponents 109-92 this season while Peninsula has scored 64 points and surrendered 187. The Panthers snapped a 14-game losing streak two weeks ago with a 28-14 victory over Lawndale and have three common opponents with Redondo.
Both school played North in their season openers with Redondo defeating the Saxons 21-7 and Peninsula being crushed 41-0. Redondo and Peninsula suffered defeats to Culver City and Serra. Redondo fell to Culver City 21-17 on a last-minute touchdown and Peninsula lost to the Centaurs 41-14. Serra defeated Redondo 37-17 after a close first half and throttled Peninsula 48-7.
Peninsula is led by quarterback Brock Dale (6-0, 175) who has completed 40-of91 passes for 498 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions.
Running back Okuoma Idah (5-10, 175) is the leading ground gainer for the Panthers with 223 yards on 36 carries. Tight end Haden Gregory (6-1, 180) has seven receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown and is also the team’s leader in tackles as a linebacker. ER
