By Alyssa Zucker
Staff Writer
South had the lead throughout the first half and was ahead 7-0 at halftime. The Mustangs’ offense struggled to score in the first half.
“We came into the game a little too confident,” senior running back Raphael Lawson-Gayle said. “As the game went on, we adjusted to South and we got the spark we were missing in the first half.”
Early in the first quarter, the Mustangs lost the ball on a fumble, and South capitalized on it with what would be its only score of the night. The Spartans then continued to dominate the Mustangs offense throughout the quarter. Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, as South led Costa 113 yards to 44 in the first half.
“As a team, we need to work on the details and learn from our mistakes,” senior captain quarterback Ryan Sweigart said. “I definitely wish I was out there on the field, but I was very proud of how we battled back.”
Sweigart was injured in the Inglewood game so senior Kahlil McClain had to fill in for the quarterbacking duties, a position he does not normally play.
Lawson-Gayle started the second quarter with a punt return that was close to a touchdown but was tackled by South’s punter at South’s 45-yard line. Costa failed to utilize its strong field position, finishing the half at 7-0 in South’s favor.
“I thought we played a really good game,” senior linebacker Connor Riley said. “As a team and a player, though, there is always room for improvement.”
In the third quarter, McClain had a 47-yard run on Costa’s first drive. He then ran for an 18-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-7. McClain went on to rush for a game-high of 111 yards on only nine carries.
On Costa’s next drive, a first down in the red zone from Lawson-Gayle set McClain up for his second touchdown of the game. Lawson-Gayle totaled 88 yards on seven carries. Junior running back Sebastian Frank-Love and Lawson-Gayle contributed to the effort by scoring a touchdown each to end the quarter at 28-7.
“The first half was rough,” McClain said. “We realized what we had to change and got each other fired up to play another half of football.”
Lawson-Gayle carried his momentum into the fourth quarter, scoring a 58-yard touchdown to make the score 35-7.
“In the beginning, I did not have my head in the game,” Lawson-Gayle said. “When the half came, I knew I was going to have to get the team going, and I did just that.”
Costa’s defense in the second half held the Spartans to 31 yards and forced four three-and-outs. South did not achieve a first down until the end of the quarter.
“We have been able to maintain a high level of play despite Sweigart’s absence,” McClain said. “Just being able to do that makes me feel comfortable to say I’ve been doing a good job.”
The Mustangs will host rival Loyola High School tonight in Waller Stadium at 7 p.m.
“We are in a tough stretch of games starting Bay League,” coach Don Morrow said. “The next four weeks will tell a lot about our team.”
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