Costa Mesa Football Preview

Costa Mesa (3-1) vs. La Quinta (1-2)

When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Jim Scott Stadium

Key Mustangs: Sr. RB/CB Mario Smith (674 yards rushing on 86 carries, six TDs); Sr. QB Nathan Alvis (564 yards passing, seven TDs, two INTs); Soph. FB/LB Oronde Crenshaw (118 yards rushing on 15 carries, six TDs).

Key Aztecs: Sr. WR/DB Darren Nguyen (240 yards receiving, four TDs; team-high 40 tackles); Jr. QB/DB Don Tran (274 yards passing and four TDs; 198 yards rushing).

Breakdown: The Mustangs are 3-1 for the first time since 2001 after holding on for a 34-31 win at Ocean View last week … Friday’s game against La Quinta is the Mustangs’ last nonleague game. Costa Mesa has a bye next week and opens Orange Coast League play against Godinez, at Jim Scott Stadium on Oct. 14 … Costa Mesa defeated La Quinta, 53-17, last year behind a big game from Alvis (four passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns) … Costa Mesa leads the series against La Quinta, 4-1, though this is just the third time the teams have played since 1977.

— Matt Szabo