Tommy Waller
Staff Writer
Andrew Fasano
Staff Writer
Despite the fireworks illuminating the night and the announcement of the Homecoming king and queen, it was the Mira Costa’s football team that shined the brightest.
Costa’s football team defeated the Morningside Monarchs, 40-6, on Oct. 14 at Waller Stadium and was led by senior running back Justin Goring, who scored four touchdowns in the win.
“It all starts with the offensive line; they put in the hard work week by week to do their job to help me out,” Goring said. “After that, it becomes instinctive for me to do great things with the ball in my hands.”
Despite the Mustangs’ slow start consisting of fumbles inside the red zone and forced punts on their opening drives, they were able to find a rhythm early on in the second half of the game when the special teams unit was able to score two touchdowns.
Mira Costa’s season wrap-up on Max-Preps.
“We started the game very sloppy with multiple turnovers, even though we worked on them during practice this week,” coach Don Morrow said. “However, we were able to power through and eventually play some good football.”
Season highlights on Hudl from the Mira Costa Varsity team.
The second half started with a Mustang kickoff return for a touchdown by Goring, closely followed by a punt return touchdown by senior cornerback Sean Walker with the help of a crucial block from sophomore Matt Harry. Walker said that these special team plays really helped shift the momentum of the game.
“Our special teams unit did a great job today,” Walker said. “The blockers did a great job opening up gaps for me to run through, and I was able to capitalize on the open lanes.”
The Mustangs’ defense was able to keep the Monarchs in check, as Morningside’s only points came off of an interception returned for a touchdown late in the second quarter of the game. Junior linebacker Cody Kallenbach said the defense was able to overcome a tough start.
“We had too many mistakes in the first half,” Kallenbach said. “We were lucky our mistakes did not lead to Morningside scoring, and overall, I was very proud of how we competed.”
The Mustangs, now 5-2 overall and 2-0 in Bay League, will matchup against the Inglewood High School Sentinels tonight at Coleman Stadium at 7 p.m. Junior defensive lineman Jonah Tavai said that the team is proud to start league on a great note and hopes to continue its dominance against the Sentinels.
Photos: Mustangs take on the Morningside Monarchs on its senior night.
“We really began to show our true strengths as a team after the long talk we had in the locker room during halftime,” Tavai said. “If we play like this in the coming weeks, our momentum will carry us to victory and help better prepare us for our game against Palos Verdes.”
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