Mustangs feeling blissful

Rick Devereux

The depression that surrounded the Costa Mesa High football program

faded after last week’s 39-24 Golden West League victory over Santa

Ana. But that does not mean the bad feelings will be gone forever,

because the Mustangs (5-1, 1-1 in league) face league title contender

Saddleback Friday at the Santa Ana Bowl.

“We need to keep the momentum going,” Coach Tom Baldwin said. “We

have to keep the motivation up and we need a good week of practice.”

The Roadrunners (3-2, 1-1) are in a four-way tie for second-place

in the league with Mesa, Orange (4-2, 1-1) and Santa Ana (3-2, 1-1).

Saddleback squeaked into the playoffs last year as the third team

from the Golden West League. Costa Mesa lost last year’s league

opener, 29-28, to Saddleback on a two-point conversion in overtime.

That Saddleback squad was coached by Jerry Witte, but this year’s

group is headed by Jeoff Meek after Witte stepped down following his

30th year with the program.

Meek has the Roadrunners winning with defense. Saddleback has

allowed 82 points this season, second fewest in the league. The

defense has posted two shutout wins in the past three weeks,

including last week’s 29-0 victory over Ocean View.

Baldwin said Saddleback runs a four-three formation with a safety

that can act as a fourth linebacker or drop into coverage. Baldwin

expects the safety to shadow Mesa’s most potent weapon, Jeff Waldron.

“That will be their plan,” Baldwin said.

Waldron has been the go-to receiver for junior quarterback Ryan

French. The two have connected 29 times for 511 yards and five touchdowns. The next most prolific receiver for the Mustangs has been

Jorge Quiroz, with six catches for 67 yards.

Baldwin also expects a lot of blitzes

“They will try to bring a lot of pressure,” he said.

Baldwin said screens and quick pass plays will force a defense to

abandon the blitz.

When the Roadrunners have the ball, running back Chris Washington

is the person to watch. Washington has rushed for more than 450 yards

with four touchdowns. Baldwin compared Washington with another

running back the Mustangs have faced.

“[Washington] is a really good running back,” Baldwin said. “He’s

not as fast as [Westminster’s] Carlos Brooks, but he’s just as

strong.”

Brooks rushed for 194 yards and three scores in the Lions’ 42-7

victory Oct. 1.

Baldwin thinks Costa Mesa has a chance based on the play of a

common opponent.

“They lost to Santa Ana [35-28] in double overtime,” Baldwin said.

“We beat Santa Ana last week. I think we’re pretty equal teams.”