Mira Costa and Redondo would like to forget their non-league seasons and start anew when Bay League competition begins next Friday after both teams posted 1-4 records.
Redondo had a bye Friday night while Mira Costa had trouble keeping up with Newport Harbor (2-3) who beat the host Mustangs 41-22.
Mira Costa continued to shoot itself in the foot with mistakes, fumbling twice in the first half after falling behind 7-0 early in the game.
Newport Harbor didn’t need any extra help as their balanced offensive attack and a relentless pass rush that sacked Mira Costa quarterback Jacob Silvera five times kept the Mustangs at bay.
Sailor quarterback Cole Norris passed for 256 yards while setting a new school career record of 5,549 yards and Cole kindler rushed for 145 yards in the win.
“They jumped out to an early lead and kept pulling away,” Mira Costa defensive back Tate Montana said. “We weren’t expecting then to pass that much.”
Trailing 21-0, Mira Costa got on the board when Silvera connected with Jake Fideler on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Silvera finished 9-for-20 for 60 yards.
Cole Hunter scored on a 4-yard pass and Ta’utino Sione had a 14-yard touchdown reception for the Mustangs.
Defensively, Jeremiah Leilua had three sacks, defensive back Glen Mitchel posted an interception and Chris Hoying blocked a punt that resulted in a safety.
“We have to put all this behind us and focus on league,” Montana said. “We’ve had guys playing new positions but when we get injured players back, we’ll be better.”
Mira Costa opens league action Friday at 7 p.m. when defending champion Palos Verdes (2-3) invades Waller Stadium for the Mustang’s Homecoming Game. Palos Verdes is the only Bay League team ranked in the CIF Southern Section Western Division top ten at No. 7.
The Sea Kings recorded wins against Newport Harbor (49-35) and Foothill (50-14) but suffered losses to Narbonne (49-28), Moorpark (24-20) and Carson (27-24).
Palos Verdes quarterback Steve Delcarson is a dual threat passing for 443 yards and four touchdowns with five interceptions in four games.
Running back Stanton Gilbertson has rushed for 506 yards and five touchdowns on 81 carries.
Lance Brown leads the receiving corps with 18 receptions for 320 yards and two touchdowns.
“This is a real grudge game because if you want to be Bay League champion, you’ve got to beat these guys since they’ve owned it the past couple of seasons,” Mira Costa head coach Don Morrow said. “They do one of the best jobs coaching, and they make a lot happen, often with smaller kids who are very tough-minded. We just have to play better.”
After finishing what head coach Matt Ballard said was one of the toughest non-league schedules Redondo has played, the Sea Hawks (1-4) are coming off a bye this week and hosts Inglewood in its Homecoming Game.
Inglewood (1-4) lost its last two games by forfeit. On Sept. 26, with host north Torrance leading 21-14, a bench-clearing incident led to a double forfeit with 31 Inglewood and nine North players receiving ejections.
With only 14 players eligible for Friday’s game against University, Inglewood opted not to play the game.
Inglewood and Redondo had two common non-league opponents. Inglewood lost to West 27-6 one week before the Warriors defeated the Sea Hawks 34-16. Redondo dropped its season opener at North 13-10.
Inglewood is led by a pair of highly recruited athletes in Michael Williams and De’Juan Tyson.
The other Bay League game pits Peninsula (1-3) against host Morningside (4-1). Peninsula, which plays its home games during the day, cancelled its game against Centennial Friday because of excessive heat. The game will likely not be rescheduled.
Morningside enters league play on a high note after rallying from a 28-6 deficit in the third quarter to beat View Park 41-38.
