Mira Costa hosts Serra in marquee matchup
A highly anticipated contest between two defending CIF champions takes place tonight at 7 p.m. when Mira Costa hosts Serra at El Camino College.
It will be almost two weeks since Mira Costa has played a game, but the Mustangs would like nothing more than to record its first win of the gridiron season in the form of an upset against Serra, the CIF Western Division’s top ranked team.
While Redondo was battling Serra Friday, Mira Costa took advantage of a bye week to prepare for the Cavaliers who defeated the visiting Sea Hawks 37-13 to go 2-0 on the season.
Mira Costa held Loyola to only 93 yards of total offense in its opening-game loss and it will need the same type of performance against the talented Serra team. Noseguard J. R. Tavai leads the Mustangs with 10 tackles and one sack followed by linebackers Derek Largent and Noah Rossi with six each.
Tavai is Mira Costa’s leading ground gainer with 63 yards and Sam Stekol is averaging 24.5 yards per catch from the wide receiver position.
Serra quarterback Conner Preston (6-1, 205) has connected on 18-of-36 passes for 456 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Shaq Richard (5-10, 183) heads the Cavaliers’ rushing attack.
Wide receivers George Farmer (6-2, 210) and Marqise Lee (6-1, 185) have sprinter speed and have each scored four touchdowns this season.
The Cavaliers defense is led by Jason Gibson (6-3, 218) and David Moala (6-2, 285).
Redondo fell to 1-1 but stunned the crowd by jumping out to a 7-0 lead over the heavily-favored Serra squad. After Ryan Spiwak broke off a 53-yard run, Drew Wright tossed a 21-yard halfback pass to Brandon Engle for the game’s first touchdown.
The scrappy Sea Hawk defense held the explosive Serra offense to just 67 yards in the first half and went into the locker room at halftime tied 7-7.
Marqise Lee hauled in two 45-yard touchdown passes, the second putting the Cavaliers up 13-7 in the third quarter. George Farmer scored on a 63-yard punt return and an 80-yard reception.
Hunter Bradshaw completed the scoring for Redondo with an 11-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Nick Pope in the third quarter. Pope finished the game completing 10-of-25 passes for 119 yards while Spiwak led Redondo’s ground game with 74 yards on 10 carries.
The Sea Hawks complete their three-game road trip today traveling to Long Beach to take on Moore League contender Millikan in a 7 p.m. game.
After a 48-24 loss to Gahr in the opening week, Millikan (1-1) defeated Artesia 46-7 behind a dominating defense that forced eight turnovers including six interceptions and two forced fumbles The Rams offense saw five different players reach the end zone.
Senior quarterback Christian Ybarra leads the offense connecting on 25-of-43 passes for 338 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The 6-foot, 175-pound senior has also rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
Sam Taylor (5-10, 210) heads the Ram’s rushing attacking that runs behind an offensive line anchored by center Marty Robinson (5-11, 240). Taylor has amassed 79 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
Speedy Aamil Muhammad (6-1, 175) has eight receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown, Bobby Mata (5-8, 160) has six catches for 77 yards and a score, and Jeremiah Blandin (6-4, 180) has five catches for 90 yards and one touchdown.
As a linebacker, Taylor leads the team in tackles with 24, while defensive back Josh Brown (5-9, 190) heads the secondary, returning an interception 22 yards for a touchdown in the Ram’s victory last Friday. ER