Mira Costa rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to Palos Verdes by routing visiting Peninsula 54-13 Friday night to remain in the hunt for at least a share of the Bay League title.
It didn’t take long for the Mustangs to put smiles on the faces of the Homecoming crowd when Omar Morrison raced 45 yards for a touchdown on Mira Costa’s first offensive play. The senior running back scored again with a 5-yard run on the Mustang’s next possession.
A touchdown reception by Chris Brown, a rushing touchdown by Justus Tavai and Morrison’s 24-yard touchdown run gave Mira Costa a 34-7 halftime lead. Morrison finished the game with 110 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries.
Ranked No. 4 in the CIF-Southern Section Western Division, Mira Costa (6-1, 1-1) continued the onslaught against the depleted Peninsula team in the second half. Backup quarterback Justin Goring led the Mustangs on a 72-yard scoring drive highlighted by the junior’s 52-yard run that set up his 2-yard touchdown run.
Mira Costa’s defense, which has allowed an average of only 14 points per game, kept Peninsula’s offense on its own side of the field until four minutes left in the game when Panther quarterback Daniel Schubert led a six-play drive that culminated with a 4-yard touchdown reception by Jack Grimes.
Peninsula’s lone score in the first half came as the result of a fake punt when Schubert found Julius Lagmay all alone for a 52-yard touchdown reception.
Mira Costa quarterback David Arredondo completed 5 of 15 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown.
Next Friday, Mira Costa will host Inglewood (1-6, 0-2) who lost to visiting Palos Verdes (4-3, 2-0) 49-6. The Mustangs will be looking to avenge last year’s 22-21 loss to the Sentinels.
“Like Peninsula and Morningside, Inglewood is having trouble getting guys to come out for football,” Mira Costa head coach Don Morrow said. “They always have guys with tremendous skill and do a good job of running their Wing-T offense.”
Mira Costa will travel to Morningside on Oct. 30 before hosting rival Redondo in the Bay League finale on Nov. 6.
