Mira Costa had its four-game winning streak – and season – come to an end Friday, losing a 13-0 defensive battle to Saugus in a CIF Southern Section Northern Division quarterfinal game played at Canyon High School.
The seventh-ranked Mustangs lost four of seven fumbles and the inability to convert on fourth down was the demise of the boys from the beach.
While Mira Costa’s offense turned as cold as the weather – the Mustangs had outscored opponents 153-12 in the last four games – unranked Saugus remained hot. The Centurions upset third-seeded Atascadero 34-27 in the first round.
The loss marked the fourth consecutive year Mira Costa failed to advance past the second round after winning the Western Division championship in 2009.
Mira Costa’s defense kept head coach Don Morrow’s squad in the game. After surrendering only its second touchdown in five games in the first quarter, the defense limited Saugus to two second-quarter field goals, both coming after fumble recoveries.
The Mustang’s goal-line stand on its own 1-yard line forced the second field goal and a shutout in the second half gave Mira Costa hope.
In the third quarter, Mira Costa drove down to the Saugus 7-yard line but was stopped on fourth down.
But the Mustangs could not capitalize on Sebastian Franck-Love’s 134-yard rushing performance and went to the air. Mira Costa reached the Saugus 10-yard line after quarterback Greg Briskin connected on a 32-yard pass to Jahlani Tavai and a 15-yard strike to Harrison Morrow.
But Saugus forced and recovered a fumble to thwart the Mustang’s drive.
The shutout was the first of the season for Saugus, which was giving up an average of 20.5 points per game.
Bay League runner-up Mira Costa finished the season with an 8-4 record. Saugus (7-5) advances to play second-seeded Valencia/Valencia (10-2).
On the other side of the Northern Division bracket, top-seeded and defending champion Palos Verdes (9-3) was upset by fifth-ranked Hart 33-12 in a game played at College of the Canyons.
Hart (10-2) will face West Torrance (10-2) in the semifinals on Friday. West eliminated fourth-seeded Palmdale with a 17-14 home victory.
