Osso era kicks off tonight

After finishing 2-8 last season, the Costa Mesa High football team hopes for a new beginning this season.

What the Mustangs appear to have in their opener is a good test, as Costa Mesa plays Savanna tonight at 7 at La Palma Park in Anaheim.

First-year Mustangs Coach Jeremy Osso said Savanna will likely run a 50 defensive scheme, with five defensive linemen and two linebackers, to try to thwart senior running backs D.J. Lepper and Asa Hawks, who will run out of the Mustangs’ I-formation.

“They’re going to try to make us run inside the tackles, instead of outside,” Osso said. “It’s nice, because we already know what we’re going to see. You already know you’ll get a five-man front where the ends will try to contain.”

Lepper is in his first varsity season, after having to play on the junior varsity last season following his transfer from Estancia.

Osso said Hawks will line up in the backfield but is also potent as a slot receiver.

The Mustangs, however, will likely be missing another backfield weapon. Osso said he learned Thursday that junior Cody De La Mater, Costa Mesa’s returning starting fullback and linebacker, will be out for “a while” due to a torn meniscus (knee cartilage).

Osso said the team should find out next week whether De La Mater needs surgery, but added the loss won’t change any plans to run the football.

“This is our system,” he said. “We’re trying to build something here, not trying to recreate the wheel every week.”

Costa Mesa senior quarterback Cody Waldron, who was a backup last year and attempted just 23 passes, will try to get the ball to receivers Kirkland Huynh and Stephan Wright.

When the Rebels have possession, Savanna senior quarterback Aaron Strazicich has a bit more experience. Strazicich, a three-year varsity starter, set a Savanna single-season record with 2,157 passing yards in ’05.

“They can definitely throw the ball,” Osso said. “They have four receivers. What they do offensively is going to really test our defensive backfield.”

The Rebels went 4-6-1 for Coach Roger Whalen in 2005, finishing third in the Orange League and losing in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division IX Playoffs to La Habra, 56-33.

But Strazicich’s experience is also representative of his team. The Rebels return 17 starters, compared to Costa Mesa’s eight returning starters.

“They played better than their record indicated last year,” Osso said. “They went up against some tough teams.”

Costa Mesa will be trying to win its first season opener since 2001, when the Mustangs topped Saddleback, 39-13.

“We’ve had some good practices this week,” Osso said. “The kids are definitely ready to play and hit somebody not wearing a green jersey.”