Mira Costa concludes its demanding non-league schedule Friday hosting Newport Harbor in a 7 p.m. contest. Both teams are coming off defeats as the Sailors (3-1) lost their first game of the year with a heartbreaking 21-20 setback to visiting San Clemente while Mira Costa fell short at Chaminade 29-10.
Redondo wrapped up its non-league schedule with a 30-21 victory over Banning and will use its bye week to get healthy and prepare for the rigors of Bay League action when the Sea Hawks travel to take on Peninsula Friday, Oct. 15 in a 3 p.m. game.
Mira Costa’s offense continues to improve, outgaining undefeated Chaminade 305-259 in total yardage but turnovers proved costly for the Mustangs. Mira Costa dropped to 1-3 while Chaminade, the second-ranked team in the CIF Western Division, improved to 4-0.
Quarterback Dennis Falcone completed 13-of-26 passes for 168 yards including a 33-yard touchdown strike to Derek Largent in the fourth quarter. Deon Morris led Mira Costa’s ground attack with 59 yards rushing. Brendan Sofen put the Mustangs on the board in the second quarter with a 44-yard field goal.
Stephen Giovatti leads Mira Costa with 151 rushing yards this season while Sam Stekol remains the Mustang’s top receiver with 14 catches for 241 yards.
J.R. Tavai anchors the stubborn Mustang defense averaging 11 tackles per game. The senior has recorded seven sacks this season.
Newport Harbor quarterback Austin Rios (6-4, 180) is averaging 115 passing yards per game with his favorite target being Parker Norton (5-11, 180). Fullback Ryan Andrews (6-1, 233) is also effective coming out of the backfield.
The running attack for Newport Harbor is led by Buzzy Yokoyama (5-10, 198) who is averaging over 200 yards per game.
Defensively, Andrews and fellow linebacker Blair Luchs (5-10, 218) join defensive backs Ethan Cochran (6-1, 210) and Kellon Truxton (6-0, 180) as the team’s top tacklers while lineman Johnny Herzog (6-3, 220) leads the Sailors in sacks.
Lineman J.B. Salem (6-4, 265) is a force on both sides of the ball.
Sea Hawks stave off upset
Facing a Banning team that had not scored a point in its three previous games, Redondo overcame a 13-9 deficit to score three touchdowns in the final frame to seal its third victory against two defeats.
Sea Hawk quarterback Nick Pope completed 7-of-15 passes for 166 yards and a 47-yard touchdown toss to Hunter Bradshaw to open the scoring in the fourth quarter. Pope also ran for 37 yards including 17-yard touchdown scamper to finish the scoring for Redondo.
Eric Brown had a pair of one-yard touchdown runs for Redondo and the Sea Hawk defense forced a safety in the opening quarter to give Redondo a 9-0 lead heading into the second frame. ER
