Prep football: Running uphill

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - The Costa Mesa High football team’s inability to

achieve decent field position has left it in an unenviable position in

the Pacific Coast League race.

Coach Dave Perkins’ Mustangs (4-2) were corralled for most of the

night Thursday by Northwood (6-0), which earned a 31-6 PCL-opening

triumph at Irvine High.

Mesa’s average starting field position was its 25-yard line and only

once did the Mustangs start with the ball outside their own 36. That one

time, when linebacker John Garcia returned an interception 13 yards to

his own 45, the visitors proceeded to score their only touchdown.

“Our defense played really well for three quarters,� Perkins said.

“But we just left them on the field too long. We’ve been averaging about

60 offensive plays and we only ran 46 (Thursday).�

Perkins said his players must now come out fighting the final four

weeks to overcome the initial league setback.

“I think this could be a positive,� Perkins said. “None of the

mistakes we made can’t be fixed. We got a lot of answers after losing to

Westminster (Sept. 15) and I think we’ll get a lot of answers from losing

to Northwood.

“I think there was a lot of disappointment in ourselves for not

playing better (Thursday). It was a collective thing with the coaching

staff and the players. We just kind of missed on all cylinders.�

Perkins said the play of Los Amigos transfer Dicky Pulu (seven

tackles), who started at defensive end, was a plus, as will be the

expected return of junior receiver Nathan Hunter for Friday’s clash at

Laguna Beach (5-1).

Hunter, who caught seven passes before breaking his ankle against

Westminster, will provide “a really huge� addition to the offense,

according to Perkins.