Mira Costa routs South Torrance for second football victory
Seniors Khalil Sonko (51) and Joe Anderson (74) lead Mira Costa onto the field for its first home game of the season. Photo
Following two rough road games, Mira Costa’s football team gave its fans a lot to cheer about in the Mustang’s home opener Friday with a 60-7 rout of South Torrance.
With two quarterbacks splitting time, Mira Costa head coach Don Morrow found the balance on offense he has been seeking this season.
The Mustangs have been known for their strong running game the past few years, but quarterbacks Greg Briskin and Jacob Silvera helped open up the Mira Costa offense passing for two touchdowns apiece.
The senior Briskin completed 5 of 7 passes for 88 yards while sophomore signal caller Silvera connected on 4 of 9 attempts for 34 yards.
While the passing numbers may not look impressive, the aerial game kept the Spartan’s defense off balance giving senior Sebastian Franck-Love room to run as the running back gained 161 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries.
Senior wide receiver Harrison Morrow hauls in one of his four touchdown receptions in Mira Costa’s 60-7 victory against South Torrance. Photo
Senior wide receiver Harrison Morrow had the game of his career, catching four passes for touchdowns – two from each quarterback. Morrow’s first touchdown as a varsity player gave Mira Costa a 14-0 lead and turned out to be the game-winning score.
Harrison is the third – and final – son to play for his dad in the Mustangs football program. Don is in his 21st year as Mira Costa’s head coach after holding the same position at South Torrance.
Harrison also returned an interception 38 yards to set up Mira Costa’s third touchdown.
Mira Costa’s defense turned in a stellar performance creating turnovers that led to 19 points in the first half. The Mustangs held South running back Brandon Chavez to 83 yards on 14 carries and limited quarterback Anthony Peters to three completions in 12 attempts for 78 yards.
Mira Costa (2-1) will face a much tougher opponent Friday when the Mustangs take on non-league rival Loyola (1-3) in a game to be played Friday at 7 p.m. at L.A. Valley College.
Mira Costa looks to avenge a 35-14 home loss to Loyola in last season’s contest.
Loyola is a much better team that its record indicates. The Cubs lost their season opener 27-21 to Harvard-Westlake which is ranked fourth in the CIF Southern Section Western Division.
After a 38-6 road win against Lakewood, Loyola was on the short end of a 23-17 game against Crenshaw, the top ranked team in the L.A. City section and 24th in the state.
On Friday, Loyola dropped a 24-10 game to PAC-5 Division powerhouse St. John Bosco, a team that is ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 4 in the nation in the Maxpreps.com poll.
Loyola has a stingy defense led by Division 1 prospect senior linebacker Reuben Peters (6-1, 225). Linebacker Steven Reed (6-1, 210) and defensive end John Turner (6-5, 265) each recorded three sacks in 2012.
Sophomore Tre Polamalu (6-0, 180) is the Cub’s signal caller and has experienced wide receivers to throw to in seniors Mekai Sheffie (5-10, 170) and Adam Pilapil 6-1, 185).