Mira Costa gridders get back on track; Redondo, Palos Verdes to square off
Redondo running back Demarcus Johnson, the team’s Player of the Game last week, leads the Sea Hawks’ running attack with 452 yards and six touchdowns. Photo
After a disappointing 42-18 loss to Bay League favorite Palos Verdes, Mira Costa’s football team regrouped to defeat Peninsula in an afternoon game on the hill.
Turnovers in the second quarter proved costly for the home team as Mira Costa (3-4, 1-1) defeated Peninsula (4-3, 1-1) by the score of 49-28.
Holding a 21-14 lead in the second frame, Mira Costa took advantage of two turnovers to pull away for good.
After Zane Thormodsgaard recovered a bad snap, Reed Vabrey connected with Danny Millea for a 35-yard touchdown. Following a Peninsula touchdown to close the gap 28-21, Mira Costa reached paydirt again after Millea recovered the ball on a botched punt attempt.
Mustang quarterback Nick Carpino three a 14-yard touchdown pass to Millea and Mira Costa never looked back.
Mira Costa, which was aided by 12 Peninsula penalties in the game, held the Panthers to 140 yards in the second half.
Thormosgaard led the Mustang offense running for 185 yards on 11 carries in the first half, finishing the game with 211 yards on 17 carries.
Carpino connected on 13 of 28 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns and Brody Mckinnon contributed with seven receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown.
Mira Costa hosts Leuzinger (3-4, 0-1) in a 7 p.m. contest on Friday.
Leuzinger is coming off it third loss in a row, a 24-14 defeat against visiting Redondo (4-3, 2-0).
The Sea Hawks host Palos Verdes on Friday in a game where they must eliminate mistakes.
Redondo had numerous penalties and mistakes against Leuzinger and head coach Matt Ballard hopes a good week of practice will help his young team which will be celebrating its Homecoming.
“The boys did buckle down when we needed, and came away with a vital league win,” Ballard said. “It’s always nice to win, but we pride ourselves on setting a standard that’s based on more than just wins and loses. Hopefully we’ve gotten the physical and mental errors out of our systems, as we take on a very disciplined and tough returning league champion in Palos Verdes.”
Freshman quarterback Kaden Martin continues to improve and senior running back Demarcus Johnson, who was last week’s Player of the Game, leads the team in rushing with 452 yards and six touchdowns. He also has 14 receptions for 240 yards and four touchdowns.
Junior receiver Markeece Alexander has 12 catches for team-high 261 yards and two touchdowns.
Junior defensive end Jacob Nash earned Defensive Player of the Game, sophomore defensive back Nik Florakis was Special Team Player of the Game and the Scout “Eager Beaver” award went to sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Quincy Lindsey.