Redondo’s hopes for a Bay League title remain intact and the Sea Hawks control their own destiny with two critical home games in the final two weeks of the regular season.
Coach Gene Simon’s Redondo squad continues to play a physical game and had little trouble with outmanned Leuzinger. Led by Josh Baytosh’s three sacks, the Sea Hawk defense kept the Olympians in check, only allowing one rushing touchdown late in the game.
Quarterback Nick Pope completed six passes in 13 attempts for 91 yards and two touchdowns including a screen pass that running back Ryan Spiwak turned into a 58-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter. Pope has thrown for 859 and eight touchdowns while completing 62-of-138 passes this season.
Spiwak increased his season output to 590 yards on 105 carries.
Drew Wright highlighted the third quarter with 25-yard touchdown run and a 45-yard punt return for a score, sandwiching Brandon Engel’s 20-yard pass reception for a touchdown.
Redondo (6-2, 3-0) faces a Palos Verdes (7-1, 2-1) team that is ranked No. 7 in the CIF Southern Section Northern Division but has shown signs of struggling in the second half of its last two games.
After a first-half touchdown, the Sea Kings were shutout in the second half two weeks ago in their 15-7 loss to visiting Mira Costa and were limited to 41 yards rushing and one pass completion for 22 yards in the second half in their 28-7 victory over West.
The workhorse for Palos Verdes is running back Marc Sasso (6-0, 205). The senior rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts last week and has gained 942 yards and 11 touchdowns on 158 attempts this season.
Quarterback Zack Fixen (6-0, 175) runs the Sea King offense and has completed 40-of-82 passes for 891 yards and 15 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions this season.
His favorite target is Robby Kolanz (5-11, 175) who caught four passes for 100 yards and one touchdown last week. He has 17 receptions for 379 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
Mira Costa (5-3, 3-0) remained unbeaten in league play routing Peninsula 44-8 at home and are ranked fifth in the Northern Division.
The Mustang offense went wild against the Panthers, gaining 501 yards total offense including 329 on the ground. Geoff La Pointe began the onslaught with a 91-yard punt return and running back Deon Morris scored on a 32-yard pass reception to give Mira Costa a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Morris leads the Mustangs rushing attack with 471 yards and five touchdowns on 76 carries.
After Mira Costa blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt, quarterback Christian Rogers tossed his second touchdown of the game, connecting with Derek Largent on a 41-yard strike. Roger finished the night completing seven of his nine passes for 176 yards and has been successful on 71 percent of his passes.
Brendan Sofen nailed his eight field of the season, a 32-yard attempt at the end of the first half to give the Mustangs a commanding lead.
Tajee Mobley and Stephen Giovati had touchdown runs of nine and 17 yards, respectively, in the third quarter to complete the scoring for Mira Costa.
The Mustangs have their eyes set on rival Redondo but first must take care of visiting Leuzinger (1-7, 0-3) whose only win came against lowly Hawthorne on October 8.
Running back Anthony Williams (5-8, 185) carries the load for the Olympians. The junior rushed for 69 yards and a 2-yard touchdown on 18 carries in Leuzinger’s loss to Redondo. He has run for 541 yards and six touchdowns on 101 attempts this season.
Sophomore quarterback John Carriere (5-8, 165) looks to Courtney Crockett (5-10, 165) and Laron Barnes (6-2, 220) as his favorite targets,
Linebacker Ivan McLennoan (6-3, 215) and defensive end Jabari Mathieu (6-2, 240) are the leading tacklers for the Olympians. Mathieu has recorded four sacks this season.
Girls Tennis
Mira Costa defeated rival Redondo 15-3 Monday as the teams prepared for the Bay League Singles tournament on Wednesday. The doubles finals will be held Thursday at noon at the Jack Kramer Club, 11 Montecillo Drive in Rolling Hills Estates.
Mira Costa ace Maegan Manasse outdueled Redondo star Elle Taylor 6-4 in singles competition and the doubles team of Laura Derian and Hanna McGuire swept three sets for the Mustangs.
Alex Waller won two singles sets and Juliana Hoft and Lauren Watts also posted a doubles set win.
Mira Costa is on the bubble of the CIF Division 1 poll. Bay League rivals Peninsula and Palos Verdes are ranked 4th and 10th, respectively.
Cross Country
Mira Costa’s Savannah Pio looks for her third straight league victory as the girls team from Mira Costa and Redondo battle it out in the Bay League finals Thursday at 2:45 p.m. at the Palos Verdes Country Club.
The return of Palos Verdes runner Rebecca Mehra, who had missed much of the season with a stress fracture, will add to the drama of the race.
The Lady Sea Hawks are ranked No. 2 in CIF Division 2, trailing perennial power Saugus and just ahead of Mira Costa, which holds the third spot. The girls teams from Palos Verdes and West are ranked third and fifth, respectively, in Division 3.
In boys competition, Peninsula is ranked No. 8 in Division 2 while Palos Verdes and West duplicate the girl’s standings in Division 3.
The CIF Prelims are slated for Saturday, Nov. 13 followed by the finals one week later. Both events will be held at Mt. San Antonio College beginning at 8 a.m.
Boys Water Polo
Mira Costa beat Santa Margarita 11-2 and Riverside King 11-9 in two pool play games of the Hank Vellekamp tournament at Esperanza. Jake Miller and Joe Siltanen each had five goals in the two games.
The Mustangs are ranked fifth in CIF Division 3 and host Redondo Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Bay League finale for both teams. Mira Costa hosts Loyola (No. 3 in Division 1) Friday at 4 p.m. in a final tune-up match before CIF playoffs begin on Thursday, Nov. 11.
Bay League foes Palos Verdes and Peninsula are ranked third and tenth, respectively, in Division 3.
Girls Golf
Mira Costa earned a co-championship in the Bay League but failed to advance in the CIF Southern Section team championhips.
Megan Kim shot an 85 at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo to qualify for the CIF Individual finals to be held Monday at La Purisima Golf Club in Lompoc. Kari Gordon shot an 88 and Raquel Gordon a 91 but missed the cut. ER
