With league competition beginning next week, Mira Costa and Redondo are hoping the lessons learned in their demanding non-league football schedules will pay off as they enter the race for the Bay League title and possible playoffs berths.
Undoubtedly, head coaches Don Morrow of Mira Costa and Gene Simon at Redondo are disappointed with their won-loss records but both teams have competed against three teams ranked in the top ten in CIF polls.
Mira Costa opponents have a combined 11-7 while Redondo, who concluded its non-league season and has a bye this week, faced teams with a combined 14-8 record.
Mira Costa (1-3) has a good chance to add one more game to the win column when the Mustangs travel to Newport Harbor (1-3) in a Thursday game set to kick off at 7 p.m. Mira Costa defeated Newport Harbor 17-6 last season.
The two teams have a common opponent in Loyola (No. 7 in the PAC-5 Division). Mira Costa dropped its season opener to Loyola 28-14. Newport Harbor was shut out by Loyola 27-0 two weeks later.
Newport Harbor lost to San Clemente 24-12 last Friday despite San Clemente’s three turnovers in the red zone and 165 yards in penalties. The Sailors have been outscored 112-55 this season.
Mira Costa, who has seen its share of large offensive linemen this season, will go up against sophomore tackles Ramsey Hufford (6-4, 300) and Sam Rush (6-5, 290) who pave the way for running back Titus Hasson (6-1, 195).
Quarterback Cole Blower (6-0, 200) completed nine of 17 passes for 140 yards last week and has a large target in tight end Steve Michaelson (6-4, 235) who also is a standout defensive end.
Outside linebackers Ethan Cochran (6-1, 225) and Grant Frazier (6-0, 220) join Michaelson and Hasson at free safety as leaders of the defense.
Mira Costa comes off a 29-13 loss to visiting Chaminade, ranked No. 2 in the Western Division. The Mustangs held their own for three quarters but big plays cost the home team a chance at victory.
In the first half, Mira Costa held standout running back Terrell Newby to 50 yards and Chaminade to only eight points. The Mustang defense continued its solid play holding the Eagles scoreless on their first three possessions of the second half.
Quarterback Chase Caprio put Mira Costa on the board in the third quarter, capping a 61-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Stephen Giovati, who finished with 96 yards on 23 carries, put the Mustangs ahead 13-8 with a 7-yard run.
Then Newby took over. The junior scampered 69 yards for a score late in the third quarter and added a 65-yard run for a touchdown in the final frame. It was too much for Mira Costa’s offense to overcome. The Mustang passing game connected only twice in 14 attempts for 15 yards.
Redondo (1-4) was outmanned by undefeated Orange Lutheran last Friday, falling to the Lancers 33-13 in a game played at Orange Coast College.
Competing in the strong PAC-5 Division, Orange Lutheran (4-0) jumped out to a 19-0 halftime lead and never looked back.
The Sea Hawks got on the board in the fourth quarter when quarterback Harrison Faecher threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Bradshaw. The two connected later on a 4-yard pass to complete the scoring for Redondo.
Simon and his coaching staff will have an extra week to prepare for the league opener on Friday, Oct. 14 when Peninsula invades Sea Hawk Bowl in an attempt to spoil Redondo’s Homecoming festivities.
