Football: Costa Mesa aiming to have fun
Something great happened on a short touchdown run from quarterback Ben Swanson on June 17 at Costa Mesa High.
Several of the Mustangs, many playing for the Green team, celebrated with an energetic and joyous Swanson. They weren’t so much showing up the Black team during the program’s annual intrasquad scrimmage that caps spring football practice. They were just playing in the moment, reacting to a big play and, most importantly for them this upcoming season, having fun.
That sounds sort of trite. But for these Mustangs, playing loose, having a nothing-to-lose attitude will be important considering they will look to several young players like Swanson, a junior in the fall, to make big plays.
“You never know going into this season because we’re so young,” said Coach Glen Fisher, who is in his second year. “We’re very young as far as class and as far as experience. You just don’t know.”
You just never know what to expect from these Mustangs. They could fail and lean on that excuse of youth or rise above the challenge and surprise many.
As a sophomore, Swanson helped lead the Mustangs to a 5-1 start, but he suffered a shoulder injury. His absence played a part in Costa Mesa finishing 5-5. If Swanson is to run around this season, he’ll have to be very smart about it.
A busy summer could be life-changing for him. He left on Thursday for the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La. He participated in QB skills camps at San Diego State on Sunday and at UCLA on Wednesday.
Learning from Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning will be meaningful for Swanson.
“It’s going to be very hot,” Swanson said. “I have no clue what to expect, but I know it will be great.”
Swanson knows he can only do well if his teammates also contribute greatly. Christian Villaverde, who will be a senior in the fall, made several big catches on Friday. But there were also several drops made by various receivers.
Coach Fisher also knows he has a young offensive line. He’ll do his best to put the ball in his playmakers’ hands to make a difference.
Tre Villalpando, a sophomore-to-be, could be a special player, Fisher says. Villalpando racked up five rushing touchdowns, an interception return for a TD, three two-point conversions and 338 all-purpose yards in Costa Mesa’s 54-6 win over Estancia in the freshman Battle for the Bell football game last season.
“He’s very smooth,” Fisher said of the running back who is also capable of playing receiver. “He makes plays that are so natural.”
The Mustangs learned recently they will be grouped in Division 13 in the CIF Southern Section playoffs in 2016. They must finish in the top three of the Orange Coast League to earn a guaranteed berth. With 84 teams in the division, an at-large bid would be virtually impossible.
Swanson believes the Mustangs can do great things because they are stronger than last year. He knows he is stronger, and smarter. At this time last year, he was competing for the quarterback job with Eric Carrasco, who transferred to rival Estancia.
Carrasco is competing to be the Eagles’ signal-caller this fall. Swanson admits he is competing again at Costa Mesa, which also has Blake Juncker, who will be a sophomore in the fall.
Fisher hopes to avoid any type of drama that came about last year in his first season.
“It’s great to see guys jumping around and being excited in a spring game,” Fisher said. “We’re trying to set this up where we have a competition. We’re competing with each other and not against each other.”
The Mustangs also are just trying to have fun.
