Mira Costa’s football team dominated Inglewood for its first win of the season, but the game went into the fourth quarter before the effort showed on the scoreboard.
Nursing a slim 3-0 lead provided by Gavin Jerrigan’s 35-yard field goal late in the first half, Mira Costa’s offense got on track with an 11-play, 72-yard drive culminated by a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alex Cuevas to Jesse Harvey early in the final quarter.
After stopping the Sentinels on four downs, the Mustangs scored on their first play when Stephen Giovati broke free for a 17-yard touchdown run giving Mira Costa a 17-0 non-league victory.
Giovati amassed 100 yards rushing for the second straight week, gaining 100 of Mira Costa’s 171 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Mira Costa’s defense held Inglewood to only 36 yards rushing on 28 carries and was aided by 10 penalties that cost the Sentinels 107 yards and negated big plays. The Mustangs also held highly touted receiver Derrick Woods to six catches for 44 yards.
Coach Don Morrow’s Mustangs (1-1) are ranked No. 9 in the CIF Northern Division and will face a tougher opponent this week when they travel to Gardena to take on Serra in a 7 p.m. contest on Friday.
Serra (1-1) is ranked fourth in the Western Division and comes off a 21-0 win at Redondo. Although Serra returns only four starters from last year’s CIF championship team and is starting seven sophomores, the Cavalier’s inexperienced, yet physical offensive line is gelling at a rapid pace.
Led by lone returning starter Tavita Tua’ua (6-4, 347), Serra’s line has paved the way for diminutive and elusive running back Anterio Bateman (5-6, 165) who has rushed for 340 yards and three touchdowns on only 26 carries in the first two games.
Bateman rushed for 173 and two touchdowns on 13 carries in the Cavaliers victory over the Sea Hawks. He also had a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown called back on a penalty.
Serra’s defense is led by UCLA-bound cornerback Raymond Ford (5-10, 175), who will also line up at receiver and handle kick returns, linebacker Patrick Wooten (5-11, 195) and defensive tackle Kris Cooper (6-3, 275).
Redondo couldn’t muster any type of offensive attack against Serra. The snake-bit Sea Hawks have begun another season with injuries to key players as standout running back Ryan Spiwak continues to nurse a hamstring.
Quarterback Harrison Faecher completed nine of 23 passes for 100 yards and Deon Williams rushed for 29 yards on 12 carries to lead the Sea Hawk offense.
In its third straight home game, Redondo will host Millikan Friday at 7 p.m. where both teams will be seeking their first win of the season
Millikan has been outscored 95-11 in its first two games including a 47-3 loss to Aliso Niguel last week when the Rams trailed 34-0 at halftime.
Millikan runs a single-wing offense that has become popular for undersized high school teams. Although the Rams will utilize the pass, their quick tailbacks led by Brian Davis (5-6, 130) will be the strength on the offensive side of the ball.
Head Coach Kirk Diego has high expectations from offensive tackle Ben Bond. Still a growing boy, the sophomore stands 6-foot-6 and weights 300 pounds. A straight-A student, Bond will also play on the defensive line.
Millikan has an athletic group of linebackers led by Marty Robinson (6-0, 220) who was the team’s sack leader with seven in 2010. Outside of Robinson will be James Garret (6-2, 235) and Gary Lee (5-10, 190) while Justin Dobard (6-2, 210) anchors the defensive line.
